President Bola Tinubu says his administration refused to negotiate with or pay ransom to the kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.
The President said the abductors demanded money and the release of detained gang members. However, the government rejected both demands and relied on intelligence to secure the victims’ freedom.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and other traditional rulers from Oyo State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu defends no-ransom policy
The President said security agencies refused to bargain with the kidnappers despite pressure to secure the victims’ release. According to him, the government instead tracked those connected to the criminals and dismantled parts of their network.
“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested,” Tinubu said.
“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.”
He thanked the armed forces for carrying out what he described as a successful rescue operation.
Army expansion linked to security response
Tinubu said the Oriire school abduction exposed gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture and prompted fresh measures. As a result, he approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions.
According to the President, the move will reduce response time and strengthen the military’s ability to tackle terrorism and banditry.
“From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions, to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.
He added that the rescue operation succeeded because security agencies had detailed knowledge of the forest where the victims were held.
President backs state police
Tinubu reiterated his support for the creation of state police. He said the proposed system would include safeguards to prevent abuse. The President also announced plans to retrain and equip forest guards so they can support security operations across the country.
According to him, many of the armed groups operating in Nigeria have links to instability in neighbouring Sahel countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Tinubu urges vigilance
The President urged traditional rulers to encourage residents to support security agencies with credible intelligence. He advised communities to report suspicious movements and unfamiliar faces in their neighbourhoods.
Tinubu also urged state governments to channel increased federal allocations into road construction. According to him, better road networks will improve access to remote communities and strengthen security operations.
Traditional rulers commend President
Speaking on behalf of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Rashidi Ladoja thanked Tinubu and the armed forces for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers.
He said the delegation visited the Presidential Villa to appreciate the Federal Government’s efforts in improving security and rehabilitating major federal roads in Oyo State.
Ladoja listed projects including the proposed dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Road through Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun.
Background
Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026, abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers. During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was killed. Security forces rescued the victims on July 10 after 56 days in captivity.
The Presidency said the intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the neutralisation of several others without paying ransom.
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