President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration will not pay ransom to terrorists, saying the Federal Government will deploy strategic measures to defeat criminal elements across the country.
Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland and members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President commended the armed forces for the successful rescue operation in Oyo State, describing the development as a reflection of improved security efforts.
He said the government would continue to review its security strategies and operations in response to emerging threats.
“Congratulations on the Oyo State rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that every security incident provides lessons that help strengthen the country’s security architecture.
“As we emphasise the question of security, each event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategy, our map and operations,” he said.
Tinubu said the government had adopted a new approach to tackling terrorism and kidnapping, insisting that ransom payments would not be part of the strategy.
“And you will have seen, we will give them a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refuse to pay ransom; we have the geography of the forest, we know what it is, and an answer to it,” he said.
The President disclosed that the Nigerian Army was being expanded from eight divisions to 12 divisions to improve response time and strengthen operations against terrorism.
“You’ve seen that from eight divisions now, we are moving to 12 divisions, to shorten the response time, to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism,” he added.
Tinubu also announced plans to establish state police as part of efforts to address security challenges at the local level.
He said the initiative would include safeguards to prevent abuse.
“There will be state police. And as state police, we have a guardrail from abuses; we will protect it from abuses,” the President stated.
He urged traditional rulers to play a more active role in supporting security efforts, adding that the government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards to tackle criminals operating in remote areas.
“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,” Tinubu said.
