President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government rejected ransom demands and refused to release detained criminal suspects during negotiations for the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The President made the revelation on Thursday while hosting a delegation of Oyo State traditional rulers led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said the abductors demanded both a ransom payment and the release of members of their gang who were already in government custody, but his administration maintained its policy of refusing to negotiate with criminal groups.
According to the President, yielding to such demands would have undermined the country’s fight against insecurity and emboldened criminal networks.
“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions outside the money they were looking for, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” Tinubu declared.
He stressed that many of those in custody were facing serious charges, including murder, and should be allowed to face the full weight of the law.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations against terrorists, bandits and other violent criminal groups across the country.
Tinubu praised members of the Armed Forces for their role in recent rescue operations and acknowledged the support of traditional rulers in strengthening community security.
“I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance. On behalf of them, I accept your message, and I will forward the same message to them,” he said.
Reflecting on the Oriire abduction, the President said the incident had prompted a fresh assessment of Nigeria’s security framework and operational strategies.
“That event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes and challenges us to examine and re-examine our security architecture, strategy, map and operations,” he stated.
Tinubu also announced that the Federal Government had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve operational capacity and reduce response time during security emergencies.
“From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.
The President noted that instability in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic had worsened security threats confronting Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing state police with safeguards to prevent abuse while strengthening the operations of forest guards to flush out criminal elements hiding in forest reserves.
“There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails against abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play more,” Tinubu said.
He added that forest guards would be properly equipped to combat criminal activities rather than merely protecting wildlife.
The President also underscored the importance of intelligence gathering, urging traditional rulers to mobilise residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements within their communities.
Tinubu further called on state governors to channel increased federal allocations towards infrastructure development and security-related projects, assuring Nigerians that the country’s security situation was steadily improving.
“The security challenge is getting better. We are getting a hang of it much better. 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,” he said.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the President for refusing to bow to the kidnappers’ demands during the Oriire abduction.
The monarch said Tinubu’s decision not to pay ransom demonstrated strong leadership and sent a clear message that criminality would not be rewarded.
“The fact that you did not pay ransom, the fact that you stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what is to be done. We cannot thank you enough for that feat,” Ladoja said.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to sustain security operations in forest reserves and continue ongoing infrastructure projects across Oyo State.
