Oyo Abduction: Why We Tracked, Arrested Kidnappers’ Families — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has revealed why his administration refused to negotiate with kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying security agencies instead tracked and arrested members of the criminals’ support network to secure the victims’ release.

The President disclosed this on Thursday while receiving a delegation of Oyo State traditional rulers led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Tinubu said the abductors demanded ransom and the release of detained members of their gang, but the Federal Government rejected both demands.

“We refused to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release members of their gang already in detention. Outside of the money they demanded, we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” the President said.

He explained that security agencies relied on intelligence gathering and knowledge of the forest terrain where the victims were held to carry out the rescue operation.

According to Tinubu, authorities also targeted the kidnappers’ support network by arresting members of their families and communities to increase pressure on the criminal group.

“We were ready to finish with their families and members of their communities. They grew up somewhere,” he added.

The President described the successful rescue as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping, praising the armed forces and other security agencies involved in the operation.

Tinubu also announced that the Federal Government had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve response time and strengthen operations against terrorism and banditry.

He reaffirmed his commitment to establishing state police with safeguards against abuse and said forest guards would be retrained and equipped to tackle criminal activities rather than focusing only on wildlife protection.

The President urged traditional rulers to strengthen community intelligence by encouraging residents to report suspicious movements and unfamiliar persons in their localities.

The Oriire school abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools and abducted about 39 pupils and seven teachers.

One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed during captivity.

The remaining victims regained their freedom on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity following a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving the military, police, DSS, NSCDC, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Amotekun Corps and local hunters.