Tinubu: We Refused to Negotiate With Oyo School Abductors Because We Know the Forest Terrain

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration deliberately refused to negotiate with the terrorists who abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State because security agencies understood the terrain where the victims were held.

The President made the remarks on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja.

Congratulating the traditional rulers on the successful rescue of the abducted victims, Tinubu commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their professionalism and commitment throughout the operation.

“Congratulations on the Oriire Oyo State rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. I also agree that we should commend the men and women of the Armed Forces for their excellent performance,” the President said.

He explained that the Federal Government remained committed to its policy of rejecting ransom payments, stressing that security forces relied on intelligence and their knowledge of the forest terrain to secure the victims’ freedom.

“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is,” Tinubu stated.

The President disclosed that the Federal Government had expanded the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions to improve operational efficiency and reduce response time to security threats across the country.

According to him, the additional divisions will strengthen ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing state police, saying the initiative would improve security at the grassroots while safeguards would be introduced to prevent abuse.

“There will be state police, and state police will have guardrails against abuse,” he said.

He further revealed that the government was enhancing the capacity of forest guards to support security operations and deny criminal groups safe havens in forests across the country.

On May 15, armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal.

During the 56-day captivity, one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the abductors.

The remaining teachers and pupils regained their freedom on July 10 after a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies.