*Assures of stronger forest security
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s hardline stance against kidnapping, declaring that the Federal Government will never negotiate with criminals or pay ransom, while announcing plans to establish state police and strengthen forest security as part of efforts to tackle insecurity.
He spoke on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking against the background of recent kidnap of school children and their redheads by terrorists in Oyo State and subsequent recent the victims by security forces, Tinubu said the successful rescue operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the government’s security strategy and praised the armed forces for their professionalism.
“I congratulate you on Oyo State’s rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. We should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” the President said.
He noted that security operations are being expanded across the country, revealing that the military is increasing its formations from eight to 12 divisions to improve response times against terrorism and banditry.
According to him, the government rejected demands by kidnappers during the Oyo incident, including requests for ransom payments and the release of detained gang members.
“We refused to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release members of their criminal gangs already in detention, in addition to the money they were demanding, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” Tinubu said.
The President attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic, saying cross-border criminal activities have intensified pressure on the country’s security architecture.
To address the situation, Tinubu said the Federal Government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards while moving ahead with plans to establish state police.
“There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails against abuse. We will protect it from abuses, and traditional rulers too will have important roles to play,” he said.
He added that forest guards would be equipped not only to protect forest reserves but also to pursue criminal elements operating within them.
“They are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase criminals and deal with them in our forests.”
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to support security agencies through community intelligence by reporting suspicious activities and unfamiliar persons in their neighbourhoods.
The President appealed to state governors to invest more in road networks that improve access for security agencies rather than prioritising projects with limited economic value.
He maintained that increased federal allocations to states should translate into greater investments in infrastructure and improved living conditions.
“I will be calling meetings of traditional leaders across the country to listen to your suggestions. The challenge before us is monumental, but I asked for the job, and I must do it,” he said.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the country’s security situation was improving and urged Nigerians to appreciate members of the armed forces and police for their sacrifices.
Earlier, the Olubadan commended Tinubu for what he described as a decisive response to the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, saying the President’s refusal to negotiate with kidnappers had marked “a turning point” in Nigeria’s fight against the crime.
“When we had the kidnapping problem, people were asking what the Federal Government was doing. But between you and your security people, you have made a turning point in the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria,” Oba Ladoja said.
“The fact that you did not pay ransom and stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what it is doing.”
The monarch, however, urged the Federal Government to maintain a sustained security presence in the vast forest corridor stretching from Oyo State through Kwara to Niger State to prevent criminal groups from regrouping.
“You have succeeded in driving the kidnappers away, but please do not abandon the forest. Let us continue to have the presence of security agencies there so that they do not regroup again,” he appealed.
Ladoja also praised the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure programme in Oyo State, noting that about 10 federal projects worth over N2 trillion were currently ongoing.
He singled out the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ife road as a major intervention that would permanently address decades of infrastructure challenges in the South-West.
“We don’t think we have had it this good before. The road projects give us hope that these long-standing problems will soon become things of the past,” the Olubadan said.
