*Why We Tracked, Arrested Oyo Kidnappers’ Families

*Asks Govs To Build More, Not Flyovers, To Curb Insecurity

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu said his government has insistently refused to negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers of the Oriire, Oyo State, teachers and schoolchildren in May, because the government understood the terrain of the forest and how difficult it would be for the abductors to escape with their victims.

    Tinubu recalled that the abductors had demanded money and the release of jailed members of their group, which government flatly rejected, insisting the military-led rescue of the victims after 56 days in captivity was a successful intelligence-driven, kinetic and non-kinetic operation without ransom payment.

    The President, who is speaking publicly about the incident for the first time since their rescue/release on July 10, when he received the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and other Oyo chiefs, Tinubu said: “We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions, outside of the money they were looking for.

    “And we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals. They committed murder, and we were ready to finish with their families, members of their own communities. They grew up somewhere.

    “I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. I agree that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance.

    “On behalf of them, I accept your message, and I will forward the same thing and the same message on.”

    The President said the rescue operation was only possible because the military had a geographical layout of the forest and event taught the Federal Government new lessons and demanded structural adaptation, adding that the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army Divisions from eight to 12 was a geographical and numerical answer to the Oriire abductions.

    He stated: “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.

    “And you would have seen we’ve given a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest.

    “We know what it is, and in answer to it, you’ve seen that from eight Divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions, to shorten the response time, to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry.

    “It is very necessary, and we are doing so. We have equally embarked upon what was missing; several decades of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level will be corrected.

    “We have equally embarked upon what was missing, several decades of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level will be corrected.

    “There will be State Police, and that State Police will have guardrails from abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play more.

    Tinubu blamed the increase in cases of kidnappings and terrorist attacks on the security collapse in Nigeria’s Sahel neighbours, noting: “Some of them (terrorists) are non-Nigerians. The problem of insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic is adding more fuel to our challenges.

    “In fact, that is why we must enhance the capacity of the forest guards as well as create the state police.”

    He stated that forest guards would no longer be limited to wildlife enforcement, but would be retrained and re-equipped as a frontline security asset, adding: “We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards.

    “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.”

    He appealled to the traditional rulers to communicate with their communities, asking citizens to become active participants in the intelligence architecture, saying: “The mention of intelligence is very important, and I want you to take it to our people, to be extra vigilant, to look at things critically, know their neighbourhoods, know their areas, report strange people.”

    Turning to Ladoja, he said: “You have governed before as governor. You need to help us communicate to these governors. Today, the economy of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the state, if you had it during your own time or during my time, it would have been different.

    “They are taking four to five times more money than in the past. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay and credit, and they should do more.

    “Instead of flyover where there’s no numeric traffic, build road networks and arteries to really enhance the quality of life and accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas.

     “The economy of operation is high, but the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had it during your own time, or during my time, it would have been different.”

    He pledged to convene broader consultations with traditional leaders across the country and asked the Oyo delegation to appreciate the armed forces in their communities, noting: “I will be calling meetings of so many of you traditional leaders to listen to you and offer some suggestions throughout the country. I’ll find time to listen to them.

    “The immediate challenge is monumental. It’s not an easy job, but I asked for the job, and I got it. You gave me the support, and I got to do it.

    “I accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessor, so that’s the challenge of today.

    “I’m glad you are here. I congratulate you on the peace and stability of the region and the state. The security challenge is getting better. We are getting the hang of it much better.

    “Any time you come across some of our soldiers and Police officers, please pat them on the back and say thank you. They are doing a good job.”

    Ladoja, who is the current Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the visit was to thank Tinubu for his efforts and that of the Armed Forces in the release of Oriire victims from captivity.

    According to him: “Even though they did not doubt the capacity of the Nigerian security operatives to deliver, there were fears over the possibility of the victims’ recovery at some point.

    “We are here to thank you, Mr. President, over the recent release of Oriire kidnapped victims from captivity. This is why we believe that the efforts of both Mr. President and all stakeholders are commendable.”

    Ladoja added that the delegation also appreciated Tinubu’s administration’s effort in tackling the deplorable condition of federal roads linking Ibadan in particular, and Oyo in general, with neighbouring states.

    The delegation included Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.