President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed the Federal Government’s policy of refusing to negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom for the release of victims, insisting that yielding to such demands would embolden terrorists and bandits.
The President spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Tinubu disclosed that kidnappers had demanded not only ransom but also the release of members of their criminal gang already in government custody, but said the administration rejected the conditions outright.
“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,” the President said.
He added that some of the criminals were non-Nigerians, noting that insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic had worsened Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to Tinubu, the Federal Government is strengthening the country’s security architecture by increasing military formations from eight divisions to 12 divisions to improve response time and enhance operations against terrorists and bandits.
“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,” he said.
The President congratulated Oyo State on the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, commending the armed forces for their role in the operation.
Tinubu also reiterated his support for the creation of state police, saying the proposed security structure would operate with safeguards to prevent abuse while giving traditional rulers greater responsibility in community policing.
“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,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards to pursue armed criminals operating in forested areas.
“They are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase criminals and deal with them in the forests,” Tinubu stated.
The President stressed that intelligence gathering remained critical to winning the fight against insecurity and urged Nigerians to stay vigilant by reporting suspicious movements and unfamiliar persons in their communities.
“It is very important to let you know that intelligence is very important, know your neighbourhoods, know your areas and report strange people,” he said.
Tinubu also pledged to hold regular meetings with traditional rulers across the country to receive their advice on governance and security.
“I will be calling meetings of many of our traditional leaders to listen to you and receive your suggestions,” he said.
Expressing confidence that security was improving, the President urged Nigerians to appreciate members of the armed forces and the police for their sacrifices.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu further called on state governors to channel increased federal allocations toward projects that enhance security and improve connectivity.
His remarks come weeks after security operatives rescued 44 pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area after 56 days in captivity.
Following the rescue, three suspects linked to the attack were 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.
