‘No permanent terrorist base in South West’ – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters of Nigeria has addressed recent reports suggesting the presence of a permanent terrorist base in the South West, following the brutal attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.

In a statement, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the government and people of Oyo State, and all Nigerians affected by the abductions.

He described the attack on innocent children and school staff as callous and reprehensible, vowing that the Armed Forces are fully committed to securing the safe return of all abducted victims.

The statement emphasized that the attacks were isolated criminal acts, and do not indicate the existence of any entrenched terrorist structures in the South West. According to the Defence Headquarters, prior clearance operations of the Old Oyo National Park (OONP) had neutralized criminal elements in the area, and current intelligence does not support claims of a permanent terrorist presence.

“Criminal elements, however audacious, do not constitute an established insurgent presence. The Defence Headquarters cautions against narratives that may create unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries,” the statement read.

The Armed Forces confirmed that troops are actively deployed across the forests and ungoverned spaces in the region, pursuing perpetrators and searching for the abducted victims. Contact was made with the criminal elements two days ago, and operations continue with determination in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes.

The statement also highlighted the importance of community cooperation in intelligence gathering, noting that local support is crucial for the safe and swift recovery of victims.

“The Armed Forces will not relent until every abducted victim is safely recovered, the criminal networks dismantled, and normalcy fully restored across the South West and Nigeria as a whole,” it concluded.

The statement was signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, on 19 May 2026.