The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said recent attacks in Oyo State were isolated criminal incidents and not evidence of an established terrorist network in the South-West.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, stated this in a statement on Tuesday while reacting to attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Two persons were reportedly killed, while at least 45 pupils, a principal and several teachers were abducted. One of the abducted teachers was later killed in captivity.
Onoja said earlier military clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park had significantly weakened criminal groups operating in the area.
He added that intelligence reports did not support claims of any permanent terrorist base in the forests or hinterlands of the South-West.
Meanwhile, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has said Yoruba groups are prepared to mobilise millions of warriors to confront banditry and insecurity in parts of the South-West if formally invited by government authorities.
Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), said the Yoruba people would not be intimidated by rising insecurity, insisting that his network has the capacity and historical experience to support efforts against criminality.
He described the worsening security situation as a form of guerrilla warfare, noting that bandits and kidnappers now strike unpredictably in markets, highways and communities rather than only at night.
Adams said about 14 affiliated groups under his influence, with structures across Yorubaland, were ready to assist in tackling insecurity, adding that they had repeatedly sought collaboration with South-West governors and federal authorities without a formal response.
He stressed that past engagements between OPC members and security agencies helped curb cult violence, kidnappings and other crimes in parts of Lagos and neighbouring states, but said such cooperation later declined due to tensions with security institutions.
According to him, any full return to security operations would require proper coordination and official approval.
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