DEFENCE CHIEF ORDERS AERIAL SURVEILLANCE, TROOP REINFORCEMENT IN OYO
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered the deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance assets to Oyo State following recent kidnapping attacks in parts of the state.
He assured residents that troops would sustain aggressive operations until those responsible are apprehended and security is fully restored.
Speaking during a briefing on the military’s activities for May, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria acknowledged the security challenges in Oyo and expressed sympathy to affected families, the state government, and residents.
According to him, the Defence Headquarters views threats to civilian peace as unacceptable and has responded with reinforced security measures.
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Onoja disclosed that the CDS ordered a comprehensive security response involving advanced aerial surveillance platforms and specialised ground troops working closely with state authorities.
He added that ongoing operations have already generated actionable intelligence, with troops maintaining sustained pressure to track down the kidnappers.
The military also released operational figures for May 2026, revealing that troops arrested 314 suspects, neutralised 118 terrorists, and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians across different theatres of operation nationwide.
It further stated that 18 terrorists surrendered during the period, while troops recovered 93 arms, dismantled three illegal refining sites, and seized 21,910 litres of assorted petroleum products.
The Defence Headquarters described operational outcomes for March, April, and May as mixed, noting declines in terrorist neutralisation and arms recovery, but improvements in arrests, civilian rescues, and terrorist surrenders.
Oluyede commended troops for their professionalism and tactical resilience, urging commanders to sustain operational momentum while prioritising civilian protection and troop welfare.
He also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that community collaboration has played a major role in recent successes.
The deployment follows recent attacks in Oyo, including the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as the kidnap of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan.
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