We Won’t Negotiate With Criminals, Tinubu Declares

We Won’t Negotiate With Criminals, Tinubu Declares
Orders Army Expansion From 8 to 12 Divisions to Fight Insecurity
Ladoja also urged the Federal Government to sustain security operations in forest reserves and continue ongoing infrastructure projects across Oyo State.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration will not negotiate with criminals, insisting that Nigeria will intensify intelligence-driven operations and expand its security architecture to defeat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.

Contents

EDITOR’S PICK
FURTHER READING

Eko Hot Blog reports that Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

EDITOR’S PICK

The President commended the armed forces for their recent rescue operations and acknowledged the role of traditional rulers in supporting security efforts across the country.

“I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance. On behalf of them, I accept your message, and I will forward the same message to them,” he said.

Reflecting on the recent school abduction in Oyo State, Tinubu said the incident had prompted the Federal Government to reassess its security strategy.

“That event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes and challenges us to examine and re-examine our security architecture, strategy, map and operations,” he stated.

List of Public Facilities Named After Tinubu Since 2023 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The President disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from 8 to 12 divisions to improve response time and strengthen operational effectiveness.

“From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.

Tinubu reiterated that his administration would not negotiate with kidnappers or other criminal groups, revealing that abductors had demanded the release of their detained gang members in addition to ransom payments.

“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions outside the money they were looking for, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” he said.

He stressed that many of the suspects had committed murder and other serious offences and must face justice.

The President also linked Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, while revealing plans to strengthen forest guards and establish state police with safeguards to prevent abuse.

“There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails against abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play more,” he said.

Tinubu explained that forest guards would be properly equipped to confront criminal elements operating in forests across the country.

“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.

The President emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering, urging traditional rulers to encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals in their communities.

He also appealed to state governors to channel increased federal allocations into infrastructure and security-related projects.

According to Tinubu, security conditions across the country are improving as the government continues to invest in security agencies.

“The security challenge is getting better. We are getting a hang of it much better. Any time you come across some of our soldiers and police officers, please pat them on the back and say thank you. They are doing a good job,” he said.

Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended Tinubu for refusing to pay ransom during the recent Oyo school abduction, describing the decision as evidence of strong leadership.

“The fact that you did not pay ransom, the fact that you stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what is to be done. We cannot thank you enough for that feat,” the monarch said.

Ladoja also urged the Federal Government to sustain security operations in forest reserves and continue ongoing infrastructure projects across Oyo State.