By Adeola Kunle
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government rejected ransom demands and refused to free detained gang members during negotiations with the kidnappers responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, insisting that criminals would not be rewarded for their actions.
The President made the disclosure on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and other traditional rulers from Oyo State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He explained that security agencies instead relied on intelligence gathering and military operations, leading to the successful rescue of all the victims after 56 days in captivity without paying any ransom.
Tinubu revealed that the kidnappers demanded cash and the release of members of their gang who had already been arrested, but the government firmly rejected both conditions.
"We refused 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 of 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 their families, members of their own communities. They grew up somewhere.
"I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. I agree 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 thing and the same message on," the President said.
He noted that the successful operation was made possible by detailed intelligence, including the military's knowledge of the forest terrain where the victims were held.
According to Tinubu, the Oriire incident exposed gaps in Nigeria's security architecture and informed the government's decision to strengthen the country's military capabilities.
He said the Federal Government had directed the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve operational coverage, reduce response time and enhance the fight against terrorism and banditry.
"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.
"And you would have seen we've given a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest.
"We know what it is, and in answer to it, you've seen that 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," he said.
The President also announced plans to establish state police with safeguards to prevent abuse while enhancing the role of traditional rulers in maintaining security.
He disclosed that forest guards would be retrained and equipped to become active participants in combating insecurity instead of focusing mainly on wildlife protection.
"There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails from abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play more," he said.
"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 attributed the worsening security situation partly to instability in neighbouring Sahel countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic, saying the influx of foreign terrorists had intensified Nigeria's security challenges.
He urged traditional rulers to encourage residents to become more vigilant by reporting suspicious movements and unfamiliar individuals within their communities, stressing that local intelligence remains vital in tackling insecurity.
The President also called on state governments to channel their increased federal allocations into road construction, arguing that improved road networks would not only enhance economic activities but also enable security agencies to reach remote communities more effectively.
According to him, many states now receive significantly higher allocations and should prioritise infrastructure that supports both development and security.
Tinubu pledged to convene broader consultations with traditional rulers across Nigeria to obtain their recommendations on addressing national challenges.
He also appealed to Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of members of the armed forces and police, whom he said have continued to make sacrifices in protecting the country.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, said the traditional rulers visited the President to express gratitude for the successful rescue of the Oriire kidnapping victims and to commend the armed forces for their efforts.
He said although there had been concerns about whether the victims would be rescued safely, the successful operation demonstrated the commitment of the government and security agencies.
Ladoja also praised the Tinubu administration for ongoing efforts to rehabilitate major federal roads connecting Oyo State with neighbouring states.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the monarch specifically highlighted the proposed dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway passing through the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State.
He said the projects would improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities and open up several communities once completed, while pledging the support of traditional institutions for their successful execution.
The delegation to the Presidential Villa included the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Olalekan, who represented the Okere of Saki.
The Oriire abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers.
During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was killed.
The rescue operation ended on July 10, 2026, after the victims spent 56 days in captivity. Eight suspected kidnappers were arrested while several others were neutralised.
Dip Connect Online News reports that the Presidency described the rescue mission as an intelligence-led operation combining kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, which secured the victims' freedom without the payment of any ransom.
Adeola Kunle
No comments:
Post a Comment