Oriire abduction: We rejected ransom demands, Tinubu says

….FG to expand Army divisions, establish state police

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said the federal government refused to negotiate or pay ransom to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, insisting that Nigeria would not bargain with criminals.

Speaking while receiving Oyo State traditional rulers led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said the successful rescue of the victims was made possible through the support of the traditional institution, intelligence gathering and the efforts of security agencies.

“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.

Tinubu said the operation reinforced the need to continually review Nigeria’s security architecture and strengthen the country’s response to terrorism and banditry.

According to him, the Federal Government is expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational structure from eight to 12 divisions to reduce response time and improve the military’s effectiveness in tackling insecurity.

“We refused to pay ransom. We know the geography of the forests and have adjusted our operations accordingly. From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten response time and give our security agencies the capacity needed to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.

The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating state police, saying the new policing system would include safeguards against abuse while giving traditional rulers a greater role in maintaining security at the grassroots.

“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 greater role to play,” he said.