By Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government rejected ransom demands and refused to negotiate with the kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, insisting that criminals would not be rewarded for acts of terror.
Speaking on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and a delegation of Oyo State traditional rulers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President said the abductors demanded money and the release of detained members of their gang as conditions for freeing the victims.
“We said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” Tinubu declared, adding that the government remained committed to defeating terrorism and banditry through decisive military action rather than concessions.
The President revealed that the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days in captivity was achieved through an intelligence-led operation without the payment of ransom. He commended the Armed Forces for their professionalism, noting that their knowledge of the forest terrain played a critical role in the operation.
Tinubu also disclosed that his recent directive to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions was a direct response to the Oriire school abductions. According to him, the move is aimed at improving the military’s geographical coverage, reducing response times and strengthening the country’s capacity to tackle insecurity.
“As we emphasise security, every incident teaches us new lessons. We have given a geographical and numerical answer to the challenge by moving from eight divisions to 12 divisions to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.
The President reiterated his administration’s plan to establish state police with safeguards against abuse, describing the initiative as a necessary step toward improving security at the grassroots. He also announced plans to retrain and re-equip forest guards to serve as frontline security personnel in combating criminal activities across the nation’s forests.
Blaming the worsening security situation partly on instability in neighbouring Sahel countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Tinubu said some of the terrorists operating in Nigeria were foreign nationals exploiting porous borders.
He urged traditional rulers to encourage communities to become active participants in intelligence gathering by reporting suspicious movements and unfamiliar persons to security agencies.
Tinubu further appealed to state governments to channel increased federal allocations into road construction, arguing that improved road networks would not only enhance economic development but also enable security agencies to access remote communities more effectively.
The President assured the royal fathers that he would continue consultations with traditional institutions nationwide to strengthen collaboration in addressing security challenges. He also urged Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices of military and police personnel working to restore peace across the country.
Earlier, Oba Ladoja, who chairs the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the delegation visited the President to express gratitude for the successful rescue of the Oriire kidnapping victims and to commend the efforts of the Armed Forces.
The monarch also thanked the Federal Government for ongoing and proposed federal road projects in Oyo State, including the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode and Ogbomoso-Ilorin roads, saying the projects would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth across the state.
The Oriire school attack occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers. Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was killed during the attack.
The victims were rescued on July 10 after 56 days in captivity in an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of eight suspected abductors and the neutralisation of several others, with authorities confirming that no ransom was paid.
