DHQ deploys troops, surveillance equipment to track kidnappers in Oyo
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says it has deployed troops and advanced surveillance equipment to track down the perpetrators of the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on military operations conducted in May.
According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed sympathy with the victims and their families, describing the incident as “an affront to national sovereignty and public safety.”
Mr Onoja said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had launched a coordinated response by deploying specialised ground troops alongside aerial surveillance platforms in collaboration with state authorities.
He added that ongoing operations had already generated actionable intelligence, assuring that troops would sustain pressure until the kidnappers were apprehended and normalcy restored.
The defence spokesman also presented a comparative review of military operations between March and May, noting mixed outcomes across different theatres of operation.
According to him, while the number of terrorists neutralised declined within the period, there was an increase in arrests, rescued civilians and insurgents who surrendered.
He, however, noted a reduction in arms recovery, crude oil seizures and the destruction of illegal refining sites.
“The CDS has commended troops for their gallantry and professionalism, while extending condolences to families of personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Onoja said.
