Tinubu Rejects Ransoms and Expands Military to Combat Kidnappings

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed the Nigerian government's strict policy against negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists, stating that the administration will neither pay ransoms nor release detainees in exchange for victims. Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to traditional rulers from Oyo State, Tinubu revealed that kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area had demanded both money and the release of imprisoned gang members, both of which were rejected.

The victims were freed on July 10 after 56 days in captivity through intelligence-led operations that included tracking abductor networks and arresting family members to apply pressure. While most were rescued, one teacher was killed during the ordeal. Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, commended the government's firm stance, asserting that the refusal to pay ransoms restored public confidence.

To address systemic insecurity, Tinubu announced the expansion of the military from eight to 12 divisions to shorten response times. He also detailed plans to establish state police with safeguards against abuse and to repurpose forest guards to track criminals. Tinubu linked the volatility of the security situation to instability in the Sahel region, specifically mentioning Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. He further urged state governors to prioritize strategic road networks to improve security access to vulnerable areas.