The Nigerian Armed Forces have denied allegations of undermining democratic authorities in the South-West, while reaffirming their commitment to sustaining ongoing offensives against fleeing terrorists and other criminal elements threatening peace and security across the region.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters described as misleading a trending report attributed to the military concerning the classification of terrorists and criminal elements operating in the South-West.

According to him, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a mischievous and misleading publication misrepresenting comments credited to the Defence Headquarters regarding the classification of terrorists and criminal elements operating within the South-West of the country.

“For clarity, 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.”

The Defence Headquarters stressed that the Armed Forces remain fully committed to constitutional governance and the protection of democratic institutions across the country.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to supporting constitutional governance, protecting democratic institutions and working collaboratively with all levels of government to safeguard the nation.

“The clarification issued by the Defence Headquarters was solely to provide an intelligence-based context regarding security in the South-West in order to prevent misinformation and public panic,” Onoja stated.

He further explained that the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State was perpetrated by members of the JAS terrorist group who had been dislodged from other parts of the country due to ongoing high-intensity military operations.

General Onoja maintained that it was inaccurate to suggest that the Defence Headquarters referred to violent terrorist groups as ordinary criminals.

“It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals. Troops remain actively deployed across the affected areas in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks threatening the peace, stability and unity of the nation,” he concluded. (Arise News)

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