The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered the deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance assets, including drones, to Oyo State following recent cases of kidnapping in the state.

The move, according to the Defence Headquarters, is aimed at restoring calm and ensuring the swift arrest of those behind the attacks.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had acknowledged the security challenges in Oyo State and expressed sympathy to affected families and residents.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff has directed a comprehensive reinforcement of security operations in affected areas through coordinated air and ground operations involving specialised troops and surveillance technology.

According to him, aerial surveillance platforms have already been deployed alongside ground forces working with relevant state authorities to gather intelligence and track down criminal elements responsible for the kidnappings.

He added that ongoing operations were already yielding useful intelligence and that troops would maintain sustained pressure until the perpetrators are apprehended and security is fully restored.

The Defence Headquarters disclosed that troops arrested 314 suspects, killed 118 terrorists, and rescued 221 kidnapped victims across different operational theatres nationwide within the reporting period.

It also said 18 terrorists surrendered, while arms and petroleum products were recovered during various operations.

The military said its operational performance for the period showed mixed outcomes, with improvements in arrests, civilian rescues, and terrorist surrenders, even as fewer terrorists were neutralised compared to previous months.

Maj. Gen. Onoja commended troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain efforts while prioritising civilian protection and welfare.

He also called on Nigerians to support security agencies with credible intelligence to help combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The deployment follows a series of attacks in Oyo State, including the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area and a separate kidnapping incident involving staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, raising renewed security concerns in the region.