President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that his administration will not negotiate with terrorists through ransom payments, declaring that the Federal Government will instead intensify military operations and other security measures to tackle criminal groups across the country.
The President made the remarks on Thursday, July 30, while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland and members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu also used the occasion to commend the Armed Forces for the recent rescue operation in Oyo State, describing it as evidence that the country’s security agencies are making progress in confronting insecurity.
“Congratulations on the Oyo State’s rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers, 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 thing, the same message on,” Tinubu said.
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The President noted that every security incident offers fresh lessons for improving Nigeria’s security framework, adding that his administration continues to review its strategies in response to evolving threats.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu insisted that paying ransom to kidnappers and terrorists would not be part of the government’s approach to combating insecurity.
“And you will have seen, we will give them a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refuse to pay ransom; we have the geography of the forest, we know what it is, and an answer to it,” the President stated.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is strengthening the military by increasing the number of Nigerian Army divisions from eight to 12, a move he said would improve response times and enhance the country’s counter-terrorism operations.
“You’ve seen that from eight divisions now, 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. It is very necessary and we are doing so,” Tinubu said.