President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that his administration will neither negotiate with kidnappers nor pay ransom, insisting that Nigeria must confront insecurity from a position of strength….
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that his administration will neither negotiate with kidnappers nor pay ransom, insisting that Nigeria must confront insecurity from a position of strength.
The President gave the assurance while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the Presidential Villa.
The monarch thanked President Tinubu for the successful rescue of the abducted Oriire schoolchildren, describing the operation as a turning point in the fight against kidnapping. He also urged the Federal Government to sustain security operations in the forests spanning Oyo, Kwara and Niger States to prevent criminals from returning.
Responding, President Tinubu disclosed that the abductors demanded both ransom and the release of detained gang members, but the government refused. He also announced plans to expand the military from eight to twelve divisions, strengthen forest security and establish state police with safeguards against abuse.
