• Says FG Will Never Negotiate With Criminals • Bandits Demanded Cash, Release of Gang Members • Security Forces Expanded to Crush Terrorist...
• Says FG Will Never Negotiate With Criminals
• Bandits Demanded Cash, Release of Gang Members
• Security Forces Expanded to Crush Terrorists
• State Police, Forest Guards to Be Strengthened
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the Federal Government will never bow to the demands of kidnappers, insisting that his administration will neither pay ransom nor negotiate with bandits for the release of abducted victims.
Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the President revealed that the abductors behind the infamous Oriire school kidnapping demanded huge sums of money and the release of detained members of their criminal network as conditions for freeing their captives.
Tinubu said the Federal Government flatly rejected the demands.
"No deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals," the President declared.
According to him, yielding to such demands would only embolden terrorists and bandits, encourage further kidnappings and undermine Nigeria's fight against insecurity.
The President disclosed that security agencies had intensified operations across the country's forests, with plans to increase military formations from eight to twelve divisions in order to improve response times and strengthen the war against terrorism and banditry.
Tinubu also announced that the Federal Government was reinforcing the country's security architecture by expanding the capacity of forest guards and moving ahead with the establishment of state police, while assuring Nigerians that safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse.
He urged citizens to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious persons and activities within their communities, stressing that intelligence gathering remains one of the most effective weapons against criminal networks.
The President praised the armed forces for the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the operation as a major victory against criminal elements.
Tinubu noted that the growing insecurity in neighbouring countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, has increased security pressures on Nigeria, making stronger border security and internal intelligence even more critical.
He further promised regular consultations with traditional rulers nationwide to strengthen grassroots security and improve governance.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has intensified its security strategy with the deployment of two surveillance aircraft acquired in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force to boost intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and rapid response operations across the state.
The latest developments come after 44 pupils and teachers, who spent 56 days in captivity following the Oriire school abduction, were rescued by security operatives. Authorities have since secured life imprisonment against three suspects, while five others are currently facing terrorism, kidnapping and murder charges before the court.
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