Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has confirmed that suspected jihadist fighters linked to a breakaway faction of Boko Haram were responsible for the attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
This marks the first time the Nigerian military has officially acknowledged the presence of terrorist elements in the southern part of the country, following the Oyo attack in which at least 45 students and teachers were abducted.
Defence spokesperson Michael Onoja, in a statement, said the attackers are members of a Boko Haram splinter group that has launched violent operations in southern Nigeria.
According to the military, the intensified counterterrorism operations across the country have forced many insurgents to flee from parts of northern Nigeria and relocate to the south.
The development comes amid growing concerns and allegations by some Nigerians that terrorists have established camps in the South-West region, claims the military had previously dismissed.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Nigerian forces recently launched a joint counterterrorism operation targeting insurgents across West Africa, reportedly killing thousands of fighters, including top commanders.
