The DHQ dismissed claims that the military response had been weak or reduced, insisting that ongoing operations are deliberate, strategic and focused on ensuring the safety of the hostages.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to the safe rescue and reintegration of all persons abducted from Kurmin Wali community in Kaduna State, amid rising anxiety among displaced residents and families of the victims.
The military high command said troops, working in collaboration with other security agencies, are carrying out sustained intelligence-driven operations to secure the release of the kidnapped victims without endangering their lives.
The assurance was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Armed Forces acknowledged the fears and apprehensions expressed by residents of Kurmin Wali who were displaced following the abduction, but stressed that the rescue of the captives remains a top priority.
The DHQ dismissed claims that the military response had been weak or reduced, insisting that ongoing operations are deliberate, strategic and focused on ensuring the safety of the hostages.
“Contrary to assertions of a diminished response, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in close collaboration with other security agencies, have been executing sustained, intelligence-driven operations within the vicinity and surrounding forested areas believed to harbour the perpetrators,” the statement said.
It added that the operations include ground patrols, surveillance, intelligence gathering and targeted missions designed to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims without exposing them to harm.
The military further explained that what some members of the public may perceive as operational restraint is, in reality, a calculated strategy aimed at preventing unintended casualties among the abducted victims.
“The AFN recognises the distress and trepidation experienced by affected families and underscores that operational restraint in certain instances is a deliberate strategy guided by the imperative to safeguard the captives,” the statement noted.
While declining to disclose sensitive operational details, the Defence Headquarters said significant efforts are underway to dismantle the criminal networks behind the abductions.
Reiterating its constitutional mandate, the AFN assured Nigerians that it remains unwavering in its duty to protect lives and property across the country and is fully committed to reuniting the Kurmin Wali abductees with their families.
The military also appealed to members of the public for patience, cooperation and sustained support as security operations continue toward what it described as a successful resolution of the incident.