President Bola Tinubu has explained why the Federal Government refused to pay ransom to the terrorists who abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying security agencies relied on intelligence and their knowledge of the terrain where the victims were held.
The President made the remarks on Thursday at the State House in Abuja while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Commending the armed forces for securing the victims’ release, President Tinubu said the successful rescue operation was made possible through improved security coordination and the support of the traditional institution.
“Congratulations on the Oriire Oyo State rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s policy against paying ransom to criminal groups, the President said intelligence gathering and an understanding of the forest terrain informed the government’s strategy.
“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is,” he said.
President Tinubu said the operation underscored the importance of continually reviewing Nigeria’s security architecture to strengthen responses to terrorism and banditry.
“Each event teaches us a new method, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategies, our map and operations,” he said.
The President also disclosed that the military was expanding its operational capacity by increasing the number of divisions from eight to 12 in a bid to improve response times and enhance the fight against insecurity.
“From eight divisions, 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 and banditry,” he said.
On policing, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing state police, while assuring that safeguards would be introduced to prevent abuse.
“There will be state police. And as state police will have guardrails from abuses. We protect it from abuses,” he said.
He also urged traditional rulers to continue supporting security efforts, adding that the Federal Government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards to tackle criminal groups operating in forested areas.
“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,” he added.
Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity. On 10 July, the Presidency announced that the remaining victims had regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
