Oyo kidnappings: Military deploys special forces, surveillance aircraft

In response to recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered the immediate deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance assets to the affected areas. This decisive action aims to bolster security and ensure the apprehension of those responsible for the abductions.

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The Defence Headquarters explicitly acknowledges the recent kidnapping incident reported within Oyo State.

Maj Gen Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, assured residents that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are committed to a relentless pursuit of the perpetrators. He expressed sympathy to the affected families and the state government, emphasizing that threats to civilian peace are viewed as an intolerable affront to national sovereignty. The deployment includes advanced aerial surveillance platforms and specialized ground troops working in close coordination with state authorities.

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, extends his heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the affected families, the government and good people of Oyo State, reaffirming that the AFN views any threat to civilian peace as an intolerable affront to national sovereignty.

Onoja noted that proactive operational steps are already yielding valuable intelligence, and troops are maintaining an aggressive posture. The military's operational statistics for May 2026 reveal significant successes nationwide, including the arrest of 314 suspects, the neutralization of 118 terrorists, and the rescue of 221 kidnapped civilians. Additionally, 18 terrorists surrendered, and troops recovered 93 arms and substantial quantities of petroleum products.

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In immediate response, the CDS has directed a comprehensive security reinforcement across the general area, utilising advanced aerial surveillance assets and mobilising specialised ground forces in close coordination with state authorities.

The Defence Headquarters described the overall operational performance for May as mixed, noting a decrease in neutralized terrorists but an increase in arrests, civilian rescues, and surrenders. The CDS commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to maintain their professionalism and tactical ingenuity across all operational theaters.

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Proactive operational steps are already yielding valuable intelligence, and troops will maintain a relentless posture until the perpetrators are brought to account and the region’s security is completely restored.