…Says No Ransom, No Deals With Terrorists as New National Security Infrastructure Takes Shape
By Yinka Giwa
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday defended the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, saying the move is designed to shorten military response time and give security forces the operational strength needed to decisively defeat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
The President said the military expansion formed part of a broader review of Nigeria’s security architecture aimed at improving operational effectiveness, enhancing intelligence gathering and strengthening the nation’s capacity to respond rapidly to emerging security threats.
Tinubu spoke while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Commending the Armed Forces for recent successful rescue operations, the President acknowledged the support of traditional institutions in improving security across the country.
“I agree with you 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 message to them,” he said.
Tinubu explained that recent security incidents, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, had reinforced the need for a continuous review of the country’s security strategy.
“That event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes and challenges us to examine and re-examine our security architecture, strategy, map and operations,” he said.
He said the decision to increase the number of Army divisions from eight to 12 was intended to reduce deployment delays and enhance the military’s ability to confront terrorists and bandits across different theatres of operation.
“From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” the President stated.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal groups, insisting that no amount of pressure would compel the government to bargain with violent criminals.
According to him, some kidnapping gangs had demanded not only ransom payments but also the release of their detained members as conditions for freeing abducted victims.
“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 the money they were looking for, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” he declared.
The President maintained that many of those in custody had committed murder and other serious offences and should face justice rather than be exchanged for hostages.
Tinubu attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to worsening instability in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, saying developments in the Sahel had increased pressure on Nigeria’s borders and complicated internal security operations.
As part of ongoing reforms, he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing state police, assuring Nigerians that adequate constitutional safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse of the system.
“There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails against abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play more,” he said.
The President also disclosed that the Federal Government was strengthening the forest guard system by equipping personnel to flush terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers out of forests across the country.
“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 said.
Tinubu stressed that intelligence remained the most critical weapon in combating insecurity and urged traditional rulers to mobilise their communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
“The mention of intelligence is very important, and I want you to take it to our people to be extra vigilant, know their neighbourhoods, know their areas and report strange people,” he said.
He also urged state governors to devote more of the increased federal allocations accruing to their states to infrastructure and security-related projects capable of improving public safety.
Expressing optimism that security was gradually improving, Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration would continue investing in the Armed Forces and other security agencies to consolidate recent gains against criminal elements.
“The security challenge is getting better. We are getting a 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,” he said.
Earlier, Ladoja commended the President’s handling of the recent school abduction in Oyo State, particularly his refusal to pay ransom, describing the decision as a demonstration of resolve in confronting criminality.
“The fact that you did not pay ransom, the fact that you stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what is to be done. We cannot thank you enough for that feat,” the monarch said.
The Olubadan also urged the Federal Government to sustain security operations in forest reserves and accelerate ongoing infrastructure projects across Oyo State.
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