The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday said the recent incidence of kidnapping in Oyo State perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group, who have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in a statement, however, reaffirmed DHQ’s commitment to sustain offensive actions against fleeing terrorists. He stated this while reacting to reports he referred to as a misrepresentation of the Defence Headquarters’ earlier classification of terrorists operating in the South West.
He had said there were no permanent terrorists based in the South West, adding that the incident was an “isolated case”.
He said, “For clarity, at no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crime committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to supporting constitutional governance, protecting democratic institutions and working collaboratively with all levels of government to safeguard the nation,” he said. He explained that the clarification issued by the Defence Headquarters was solely to provide an intelligence-based context regarding the security in the South West, to prevent misinformation and public panic.
“The recent incidence of kidnapping in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over. It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” he added.
He assured that troops remain actively deployed across the affected areas in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders.
He reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks threatening the peace, stability and unity of the nation.
