The Armed Forces of Nigeria says it remains fully committed to supporting constitutional governance, protecting democratic institutions, and working collaboratively with all levels of government to safeguard the nation.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters said the clarification was to provide intelligence-based context regarding the security situation in the South-West in order to prevent misinformation and public panic.
The Defence Headquarters was reacting to what it described as a mischievous and misleading publication that misrepresented comments credited to the military authorities regarding the classification of terrorists and criminal elements operating in the South-West of the country.
MUST READ: APC Presidential Primary Guidelines
The statement stressed that at no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crimes committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements.
According to the statement, the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State was perpetrated by terrorists linked to the JAS group, who had been dislodged from other parts of the country due to ongoing high-intensity military operations nationwide.
The Defence Headquarters noted that it is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that it referred to vicious and violent terrorists as mere criminals.
The statement added that troops remain actively deployed across the affected areas in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders.
It further assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks, threatening the peace, stability, and unity of the nation.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
