President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve not to negotiate with or pay ransom to terrorists and kidnappers, declaring that the Federal Government will intensify military operations and other strategic measures to defeat criminal groups across the country.
The President stated this on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu said the country’s persistent security challenges had compelled his administration to continuously reassess its security architecture and operational strategies to tackle emerging threats more effectively.
The President also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for the successful rescue operation in Oyo State, describing it as a testament to the commitment and professionalism of security personnel.
He said, “Congratulations on the Oyo State’s rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. 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 thing, the same message on.”
Tinubu noted that every security incident provided an opportunity for government to improve its response mechanisms.
According to him, “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.”
Reiterating his administration’s hardline stance against terrorism and kidnapping, the President said paying ransom would not form part of the government’s strategy.
He declared, “And you will have seen, we will give them a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refuse to pay ransom; we have the geography of the forest, we know what it is, and an answer to it.”
Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government was expanding the Nigerian Army from eight divisions to 12 to improve operational efficiency, reduce response time and strengthen the fight against terrorism and other security threats.
He said, “You’ve seen that from eight divisions now, 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. It is very necessary and we are doing so.”
Last week, the Presidency announced approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from 8 to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel.
The new divisions will be located in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City as part of efforts to improve operational readiness, decentralise command and strengthen border security.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to establishing state police to strengthen security at the grassroots and address long-standing gaps in local policing.
According to him, “We have equally embarked upon what was missing. Several decades of fear and uncertainty about how to address security at the local level will be resolved. There will be state police. And as state police, we have a guardrail from abuses; we will protect it from abuses.”
Tinubu’s remarks come weeks after his administration inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and transmitted the State Police Bill to the House of Representatives to provide the constitutional and legal framework for establishing state police services nationwide.
The proposed reform is expected to create a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and state police services, with safeguards to prevent abuse of the new structure.
The President further called on traditional rulers to play a more active role in supporting the government’s security efforts, particularly through community engagement and intelligence gathering.
He said forest guards, whose capacities are being strengthened, would play a critical role in flushing out criminals hiding in forests across the country.
Tinubu stated, “And you traditional rulers too, we have a role to play more. 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. It is very important to let you know that.”
The President said his administration would continue investing in the armed forces and other security agencies to improve their effectiveness, insisting that defeating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remains one of the Federal Government’s highest priorities.
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