Dislodged JAS Terrorists Behind Oyo Kidnap - Defence Headquarters Reveals

According to the Defence Headquarters, the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State was carried out by members of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad terrorist group. This group, it is claimed, was displaced from other parts of the country due to the intensified military operations being conducted across the nation. In a statement released on Thursday, May 21, and signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters explained that the attackers behind the Oyo abduction were part of the JAS Group that had been dislodged from other areas. The statement noted, 'The recent incidence of kidnap 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.' The Defence Headquarters also took the opportunity to deny reports suggesting that it referred to terrorists operating in the South-West as ordinary criminals. Maj Gen Onoja emphasized, 'It is, therefore, inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals.' The military clarified that its earlier statement on security developments in the South-West was intended to provide context based on intelligence to avoid spreading misinformation and causing unnecessary panic among residents. Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria affirmed its commitment to supporting constitutional governance and protecting democratic institutions. The statement added, '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.' Additionally, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that troops are actively deployed across affected areas, working in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks that threaten national peace and stability. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in their determination to dismantle all criminal and terrorist networks threatening the peace, stability, and unity of the nation.