President Bola Tinubu has said the worsening insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic is increasing Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that his administration is strengthening the country’s security architecture through the creation of state police and the expansion of forest guard operations.
The President gave the assurance on Friday while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu explained that the proposed state police system would include institutional safeguards to prevent abuse by state governments or political actors, adding that traditional rulers would play key roles in the new security framework.
According to him, the growing instability across the Sahel region has made it imperative for Nigeria to enhance its internal security capacity.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government is expanding the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve response time and operational effectiveness against terrorists and bandits.
The President cited the recent rescue of over 40 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as evidence that Nigeria’s security agencies are improving their operational capacity.
Tinubu reiterated that his administration would not negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom, revealing that the abductors demanded both money and the release of detained members of their gang.
“We said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” the President declared, warning that conceding to such demands would encourage more criminal activities and weaken the country’s justice system.
He also announced plans to transform forest guards into a more active security force tasked with pursuing criminal elements hiding in forests across the country.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious individuals and activities to security agencies, describing intelligence gathering as critical to tackling insecurity.
The President further challenged state governments to channel their increased federal allocations into infrastructure projects that improve security and economic development, rather than embarking on projects with limited public value.
He pledged to maintain regular consultations with traditional rulers nationwide to leverage their grassroots knowledge in addressing governance and security challenges.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the country’s security situation is gradually improving and commended members of the armed forces and the police for their sacrifices in protecting lives and property.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, said the visit was to appreciate President Tinubu for the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire after spending 56 days in captivity.
The monarch praised Tinubu’s refusal to negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom, describing the decision as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping.
Oba Ladoja, however, urged the Federal Government to sustain security operations in the forests stretching across Oyo, Kwara and Niger states to prevent criminal groups from regrouping.
He also commended the President’s infrastructure projects in Oyo State, particularly the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ife Road with concrete pavement, expressing optimism that ongoing federal projects would significantly improve transportation and development in the state.