By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed what it described as mischievous and misleading reports alleging that it downplayed the activities of terrorists and criminal elements operating in the South West, insisting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to crushing all threats to national security.
According to an official signed statement by Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters clarified that at no time did it undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or attempt to diminish the severity of atrocities committed against innocent citizens by terrorist groups.
The statement explained that the clarification earlier issued by the Defence Headquarters was intended solely to provide intelligence-based context regarding the security situation in the South West in order to prevent misinformation and avoid unnecessary public panic.
Major General Onoja stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained steadfast in supporting constitutional governance, protecting democratic institutions and collaborating with all levels of government to safeguard the country.
He further disclosed that the recent kidnap incident in Oyo State was perpetrated by terrorists linked to the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) group who had been dislodged from other parts of the country as a result of intensified military operations across various theatres.
The Defence Headquarters stressed that it was inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the military referred to violent terrorists as mere criminals, noting that troops remain actively deployed across affected areas in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders.
The statement reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would sustain ongoing offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and criminal networks threatening the peace, stability and unity of the nation.
