President Bola Tinubu has said the establishment of four additional divisions of the Nigerian Army, increasing the total from eight to 12, is aimed at improving the military’s ability to respond swiftly to security threats across the country.
Receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, the President said that the expansion had enhanced the military’s readiness and motivation to address the country’s longstanding security challenges.
He also commended members of the armed forces for their role in the successful rescue operation linked to the Oriire abduction incident, attributing the outcome to the professionalism of security personnel and the support and prayers of traditional rulers and Nigerians.
President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s refusal to negotiate with criminal groups, revealing that kidnappers had demanded the release of detained members of their gang in addition to a ransom.
‘We refused to negotiate. These criminals wanted us to release members of their criminal gangs who had already been arrested. I said, “No deal”. We are not going to negotiate with criminals’, Tinubu said.
He added that insecurity in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger had contributed to Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that some of those involved in criminal activities were foreign nationals.
On the proposed introduction of state police, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse of the system. He said traditional rulers would also have defined roles in ensuring accountability.
He said that the Federal Government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal activities in forested areas, rather than limiting their responsibilities to wildlife protection.
He also called on citizens to remain vigilant by monitoring activities within their communities and reporting suspicious individuals or incidents to the relevant authorities.
On the economy, the President said that the country’s financial situation had improved, noting that state governments now had greater revenues and were no longer borrowing to pay workers’ salaries.
He urged governors to prioritise investments in road infrastructure and transport networks to improve accessibility and enhance security operations, rather than constructing flyovers in areas where they were not urgently needed.
Earlier, the Olubadan commended the President for the successful Oriire rescue operation and what he described as the progress recorded by the administration.
The traditional ruler advocated true federalism, arguing that it would accelerate development across the country’s regions. He also said the establishment of regional commissions would further support regional development.
Expressing support for the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Oba Ladoja pledged the continued backing, advice and prayers of traditional rulers for the President. He also called for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions and greater roles for traditional rulers in governance.
The delegation included several traditional rulers from the state, while senior government officials at the meeting included the President’s Chief of Staff, rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
