The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered the deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance assets to Oyo State following a series of recent kidnapping incidents across the state.

He assured residents that the military would sustain aggressive operations until those responsible are apprehended and security is fully restored in the affected areas.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday during a briefing on the Armed Forces’ operational activities for May, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the military recognised the growing security concerns in Oyo State and sympathised with affected families, the state government and residents.

“The Defence Headquarters expressly acknowledges the recent kidnapping incidents reported in Oyo State. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, extends his heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the affected families, the government and people of Oyo State, reaffirming that the Armed Forces of Nigeria consider any threat to civilian peace as an unacceptable challenge to national sovereignty,” Onoja said.

He said that the CDS had directed an extensive security reinforcement across the affected locations through the deployment of advanced aerial surveillance platforms and specialised ground troops working closely with state authorities.

According to him, the ongoing operations have already generated valuable intelligence, while troops have been instructed to maintain sustained pressure on the perpetrators until they are brought to justice.

“In immediate response, the CDS has directed comprehensive security reinforcement within the general area, deploying advanced aerial surveillance assets and specialised ground forces in collaboration with relevant state authorities.

“Operational efforts are already yielding useful intelligence, and troops will continue relentless operations until the criminals are apprehended and normalcy is fully restored,” he added.

The Defence Headquarters also released operational statistics for May 2026, revealing that troops arrested 314 suspects, neutralised 118 terrorists and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians in different operations across the country.