The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed what it described as “mischievous and misleading” reports suggesting that it misclassified terrorist and criminal elements operating in Nigeria’s South-West region, insisting that its position had been misrepresented.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja said at no time did it undermine the authority of any democratically elected government or downplay the severity of crimes committed by terrorist groups against civilians.
He stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to constitutional governance, the protection of democratic institutions and collaboration with all tiers of government to ensure national security.
The military high command explained that its earlier clarification was intended solely to provide an intelligence-based context on the evolving security situation in the South-West, and to prevent misinformation and public panic.
According to the DHQ, recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State were carried out by elements of the JAS group, which it said had been displaced from other parts of the country as a result of intensified military operations.
“It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” the statement said.
The DHQ reaffirmed that troops remain actively deployed across affected areas in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders, adding that ongoing operations are aimed at sustaining pressure on fleeing terrorist elements.
It further pledged that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would remain resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks threatening peace, stability and national unity.
