By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede has condemned the abduction of pupils and staff from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as callous and reprehensible.
The schools affected by the attack are Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School. General Musa, on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, extended condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Oyo State over the incident.
In a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Chief of Defence Staff assured grieving families that the Armed Forces was deploying all available resources to ensure the safe and unconditional return of the abducted victims. He also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, united and cooperate with security agencies as ongoing operations continue in the affected areas.
The Defence Headquarters also dismissed reports suggesting that terrorist groups had established a permanent operational base in the South-West region following the attack.
According to the statement, the incident was an isolated criminal act and did not indicate the existence of an entrenched terrorist structure in the region. It noted that the Armed Forces had earlier carried out comprehensive clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park, significantly weakening the activities of criminal elements within the area.
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that troops are currently conducting intensive search and pursuit operations within forest corridors and other ungoverned spaces in collaboration with relevant security agencies and local vigilantes. It revealed that troops had recently made contact with the criminal elements and had since reorganized to sustain the operations.
The Armed Forces reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks, rescuing all abducted victims safely and restoring lasting peace across the South-West and the country at large.
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