President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s hardline stance against negotiating with kidnappers and terrorists, declaring that the Federal Government will neither pay ransom nor release detained criminals in exchange for abducted victims.
The President disclosed that kidnappers behind the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State demanded both money and the release of their jailed gang members, but the government rejected the conditions.
Speaking on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said yielding to such demands would only embolden criminal groups.
“We refuse to negotiate with criminals. They wanted us to release members of their criminal gangs already in detention in addition to demanding money, but we said no deal. We will not negotiate with murderers and terrorists, ” he said.
The President described the successful rescue of the victims as evidence that the country’s evolving security strategy was producing results, while commending the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their professionalism.
“Every security operation teaches us new lessons, challenges us to review our security architecture, strategy and operational plans, and strengthens our resolve to defeat terrorism and banditry, ” he said.
Tinubu announced that the Federal Government is expanding the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve operational coverage and reduce response time to security threats nationwide.
He also reiterated support for the establishment of state police, assuring Nigerians that constitutional safeguards would prevent abuse, while traditional rulers would play greater roles in local security.
“There will be state police, but with guardrails against abuse. Traditional rulers will also have greater roles to play, ” he said.
The President added that the government was strengthening the operational capacity of forest guards to flush out criminal elements hiding in forests across the country.
According to him, we are equally enhancing the capacity of forest guards, not to chase animals, but to pursue criminals and deal decisively with them
Cross-Border Threats
Tinubu warned that insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic had worsened cross-border criminal activities, revealing that some suspects involved in the Oyo kidnapping were foreign nationals.
He urged traditional rulers to strengthen community intelligence by encouraging residents to report suspicious movements and unfamiliar persons to security agencies.
“Intelligence is important, and I urge people to be vigilant, know their neighbourhoods and report strangers, ” he said.
Despite the nation’s security challenges, the President expressed confidence that ongoing reforms were yielding positive results.
“The immediate challenge is monumental, but I asked for this responsibility and I accept both its assets and liabilities. I can assure Nigerians that the security situation is improving, ” he said.
Tinubu also urged state governments to prioritise the construction of strategic road networks that would improve access to remote communities and enhance security operations instead of embarking on non-essential projects.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, praised the Federal Government’s handling of the Oyo kidnapping incident, describing the refusal to pay ransom as a major shift in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping.
“The fact that you did not pay ransom shows we now have a government that knows what it is doing, ” he said.
The monarch called for sustained security operations in the forest corridor linking Oyo, Niger and Kwara states, warning that the area could remain a safe haven for criminals if not properly secured.
He also commended the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in Oyo State, saying improved road networks would boost economic activities and strengthen security across the region.
