President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that his administration will not negotiate with criminals or pay ransom to secure the release of kidnap victims, saying doing so would encourage terrorism and banditry.
Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“We refuse to pay ransom. We know the geography of the forests. We know what it is, and in response to it, you have seen that we are moving from eight divisions to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry. It is very necessary, and we are doing so,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that the abductors had demanded not only ransom but also the release of detained members of their criminal gang, a request the Federal Government rejected.
“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs who had already been arrested. That was one of their conditions, apart from the money they were looking for, and we said, ‘No deal.’
“We are not going to negotiate with criminals. They committed murder, and we were ready to finish with them. They have families and members of their own communities. Some of them are non-Nigerians. You see… the problem of insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic is adding more fuel to our challenges,” the president stated.
Speaking on the recent rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Tinubu congratulated the state on the successful operation and commended the armed forces for their role.
The President said the Federal Government was strengthening the country’s security architecture by increasing military formations to improve response times against terrorists and bandits.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his support for the establishment of state police, noting that adequate safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse while giving traditional rulers a greater role in grassroots security.
“We have equally embarked upon what was missing for several decades because of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level. We will be corrected. There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails against abuse. We will protect it from abuse, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play.
“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards. They are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase criminals and deal with them in the forests,” he stated.
Intelligence Gathering
The President stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
“It is very important to let you know that intelligence is very important, and I want you to take it to our people to be extra vigilant, to look at things critically, know their neighbourhoods, know their areas and report strange people.
“As we emphasise the question of security, each event teaches us new methods. It opens our eyes and challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategy, our map and our operations. You will have seen that we are giving a geographical and numerical answer to these challenges,” he said.
The President said the security situation in neighbouring countries highlighted the need to strengthen forest guards and establish state police.
Tinubu further pledged to engage traditional rulers across the country more regularly to seek their input on governance and security.
“I will be calling meetings of many of our traditional leaders to listen to you and receive your suggestions. Throughout the country, I will do that.
“The immediate challenge is monumental. It is not an easy job, but I asked for the job and I got it. You gave me the support, and I have to do it. I accept the assets and liabilities of that mandate. I am glad you are here. I congratulate you on the peace and stability of the region and the state.
“I can tell you the security challenge is getting better. We are getting a much better handle on it. Any time you come across some of our soldiers and police officers, please pat them on the back and say thank you. They are doing a good job. It is a big challenge,” the president noted.
He also called on governors to channel increased federal allocations towards projects that improve security and connectivity across their states.
Oyo Abduction
Tinubu’s remarks come weeks after security operatives rescued 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted during the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area after spending 56 days in captivity.
Three suspects linked to the attack were subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja after pleading guilty to concealing information about the masterminds and belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist group. The Department of State Services (DSS) has also arraigned five additional suspects on terrorism, kidnapping and murder charges, with the case adjourned until September 24.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has stepped up security efforts with the arrival of two surveillance aircraft on Tuesday, acquired to strengthen intelligence gathering and aerial operations across the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde said the aircraft, procured in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force, have already demonstrated their value in tackling security threats, including the Oriire abduction, and will immediately become operational to support security agencies and improve rapid response across Oyo State.
