By Oluwakemi Kindness
President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration will not pay ransom or negotiate with criminals to secure the release of kidnapped victims.
Tinubu said such payments would only encourage terrorism and banditry in the country.
The President stattrd this on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“We refuse to pay ransom,” Tinubu said, stressing that the government was determined to defeat terrorists and bandits.
He disclosed that the abductors of the Oyo schoolchildren demanded ransom as well as the release of detained members of their criminal gang.
“We refuse to negotiate for ransom,” the President said. “They committed murder, and we were ready to finish with them.”
Tinubu said the Federal Government rejected the demands, insisting that there would be “no deal” with criminals.
He also congratulated Oyo State on the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The President commended the armed forces for their role in the successful operation.
Tinubu said the government was also strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by increasing military formations from eight to 12 divisions.
According to him, the move is aimed at shortening response times and giving the military greater capacity to tackle terrorism and banditry.
He also reaffirmed his support for state police, saying safeguards would be introduced to prevent abuse.
Tinubu added that traditional rulers would have a greater role to play in grassroots security.
