President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that his administration would never negotiate with kidnappers or terrorists, insisting that Nigeria’s security forces would continue to confront criminal groups without paying ransom, even as he confirmed plans to establish state police and expand military formations to strengthen the country’s fight against insecurity.
The President spoke while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa.
Tinubu said the recent security operation that led to the rescue of victims in Oyo State demonstrated the effectiveness of the country’s security architecture and credited the success to the support and prayers of Nigerians, as well as the efforts of the armed forces.
“Congratulations on the Oriire Oyo State rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” he told the delegation.
The President revealed that the military was restructuring its operational deployment by increasing its divisions from eight to 12 to reduce response time and strengthen the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is… from eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time, to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that every security incident had prompted a review of government strategy.
“As we emphasise the question of security, each event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategy, our map and operations,” he added.
He made clear commitments on security reforms, confirming that Nigeria would establish state police and that safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse.
“There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrail from abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have role to play more,” he said.
The President also announced plans to strengthen the country’s forest guards, saying their mandate would extend beyond wildlife protection to pursuing criminal elements hiding in forests.
“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 the criminals and deal with them in various forests.”
Tinubu urged traditional rulers to encourage communities to provide intelligence to security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious movements.
“I want you to take it to our people to be extra vigilant… know their neighbourhoods, know their areas, report strange people.”
Reiterating his administration’s hardline position against kidnappers, the President disclosed that criminal gangs had demanded the release of their detained members in addition to ransom payments, but the government rejected the demands outright.
“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested… and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals.”
