President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s firm policy against negotiating with kidnappers, terrorists and other violent criminal groups, declaring that the Federal Government will neither pay ransom nor release detained criminals in exchange for abducted victims.
The President made the declaration 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 revealed that kidnappers responsible for the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State demanded both ransom and the release of their detained gang members, but the government rejected the conditions.
“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 noted that the successful rescue operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the government’s evolving security strategy and commended members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their courage and professionalism.
“I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the Armed Forces for their excellent performance. 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 disclosed that the Federal Government is strengthening the country’s security architecture by expanding the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve operational coverage and reduce response time to security threats nationwide.
He also reiterated the administration’s commitment to establishing state police with constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse, while enhancing the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal activities in forests and other ungoverned areas.
“There will be state police, but with guardrails against abuse. Traditional rulers will also have greater roles to play. We are equally enhancing the capacity of forest guards, not to chase animals, but to pursue criminals and deal decisively with them,” the President said.
Emphasising the importance of intelligence gathering, Tinubu urged traditional rulers to mobilise their communities to remain vigilant, identify suspicious movements and promptly report unusual activities to security agencies.
He warned that insecurity in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic had intensified cross-border criminal activities, making it necessary to strengthen border security and improve coordination among security agencies.
According to the President, investigations into the Oriire abduction revealed that some of the suspects were foreign nationals.
“We are enhancing the capacity of the forest guards. They will not only protect wildlife; they will pursue criminals in the forests. Intelligence is important, and I urge people to be vigilant, know their neighbourhoods and report strangers,” he added.
Despite acknowledging the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges, Tinubu expressed confidence that ongoing reforms were beginning to produce 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. Whenever you see our soldiers and police officers, encourage them and thank them because they are making tremendous sacrifices to keep our country safe,” he said.
The President also urged state governments to prioritise strategic road construction over non-essential infrastructure, arguing that improved road networks would enhance the mobility and operational effectiveness of security agencies.
“You need to help us communicate to these governors. Today, the economy of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had it during your own time or during my time, it would have been different.
“They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay, and they should do more to, instead of flyovers where there is no numeric traffic, build roads and arteries network to really enhance the quality of life and the accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas,” he said.
Tinubu pledged to deepen engagement with traditional rulers, describing them as indispensable partners in intelligence gathering, conflict prevention and community policing.
“I will continue to meet with traditional rulers across the country to listen to your counsel and receive your suggestions because you remain indispensable partners in safeguarding our communities,” he said.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the President and security agencies for their handling of the Oriire kidnapping, describing the government’s refusal to pay ransom as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping.
“We were apprehensive after that first major kidnapping in Oyo State, but between you and your security people, you have made a turning point. The fact that you did not pay ransom shows we now have a government that knows what it is doing,” the monarch said.
Oba Ladoja also called for sustained security operations in the forest corridor stretching from Oyo through parts of Niger and Kwara states, describing the area covering Iseyin, Igboho, Kishi and Baruten as particularly vulnerable to criminal activities if left unsecured.
He further praised the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in Oyo State, noting that ongoing road projects valued at more than ₦2 trillion could significantly boost economic activity and strengthen security across the state before the end of the Tinubu administration.
