The Defence Headquarters made this clarification while addressing reports suggesting the existence of entrenched terrorist camps in the region, following the recent attack in Oyo State.
On May 15, 2026, 32 people, including 25 students and seven teachers, were kidnapped after terrorists invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, described it as an isolated criminal act and not evidence of any permanent terrorist presence in the region.
He noted that earlier military clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park had significantly reduced the activities and capacity of criminal groups operating in the area.
According to him, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to categorically address recent media reports and public speculation suggesting that terrorist elements have established a permanent operational base within the South West geo-political zone of Nigeria, particularly following the attack in Oyo State.
“It is pertinent to state that the incident was an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region, as the Armed Forces had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation of the Old Oyo National Park, effectively neutralising the operational capacity of criminal elements within that operational capacity of criminal elements within that corridor.
“Current intelligence assessments do not support the conclusion that any structured or permanent terrorist base exists within the forests or hinterlands of the South West region.
“Criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence, and the Defence Headquarters cautions against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.”
The Defence Chief, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, also expressed concern over the abduction and assured that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims.
The military added that search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing across forested areas in Oyo State in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes.