The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s battle against kidnapping, saying the administration’s approach has marked a significant shift in tackling the crime.
Ladoja made the remarks on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The visit was aimed at appreciating the Federal Government’s intervention in addressing insecurity in Oyo State and seeking continued support to sustain the progress made after the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Photos and videos from the meeting, which have since circulated widely online, showed discussions focused on the security situation in Oyo State and efforts to prevent a resurgence of kidnapping. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Hakeem Owoade, was not present at the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Oyo Obas, Ladoja commended Tinubu’s refusal to pay ransom to kidnappers, describing the policy as a demonstration of strong leadership that had strengthened public confidence in the government’s response to insecurity.
He said, “We wish you well, Mr President; we (Council of Oyo Obas) feel it is important to come and say thank you to you.
When we had the problem of the kidnapping, this was the first major one in Oyo State, we were apprehensive, we said what was the Federal Government and Oyo State Government doing?
“But we have now seen that, working with your security forces, you have made a turning point on the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria. Your decision not to pay ransom and to stand firm shows that we have a government that knows what it is doing.
“We cannot thank you enough for the feat. It was a big feat because the people of Oyo State almost thought the situation was going to be another Chibok. And whether it will be a perennial issue.
Let me also advise that you should not please abandon the forest. You have been able to send the kidnappers away. Let us have the presence of security agencies there.
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It is a forest that extends to Niger State. It is meant to be a reserve. If we are able to secure the place, it means that Oyo State is secured.”
The monarch also appealed to the President to maintain military and other security operations within the forest corridor connecting Oyo and Niger states, stressing that sustained surveillance would help prevent criminal elements from returning to the area.
Ladoja’s remarks followed Tinubu’s recent disclosure that the abducted pupils and teachers were freed without the payment of any ransom.
The President explained that the Federal Government rejected demands to negotiate with the kidnappers, maintaining that paying ransom would only strengthen criminal groups and encourage more abductions.
Instead, Tinubu said security agencies relied on intelligence-driven operations, tracking the kidnappers’ network and arresting members of their families and support system to mount pressure on the terrorists.
According to the President, the strategy ultimately forced the abductors to release the victims without receiving any ransom, describing the operation as a significant success in the country’s campaign against kidnapping and terrorism.
The kidnapped pupils and teachers regained their freedom in July after spending about 56 days in captivity.
Their rescue followed coordinated operations involving the military, intelligence agencies and the police, during which eight suspects were arrested and several others were killed.