‘You’ve Made a Turning Point on Kidnapping in Nigeria,’ Olubadan Lauds Tinubu

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s handling of kidnapping, describing it as a major turning point in Nigeria’s fight against the crime.

Ladoja gave the commendation on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he led a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State to discuss security challenges, particularly the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The monarch said the Federal Government’s refusal to negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom demonstrated strong leadership and renewed public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

“We wish you well, Mr President. We felt it was important to come and say thank you. When the kidnapping happened, many of us were worried and wondered what the Federal Government and Oyo State Government were doing,” Ladoja said.

“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.”

The traditional ruler noted that residents of Oyo State initially feared the abduction could become another prolonged national security crisis similar to previous mass kidnappings in the country.

He urged the President not to relax security operations in the forest corridor linking Oyo and Niger states, stressing that the area should remain under constant surveillance.

“Please do not abandon the forest. You have been able to send the kidnappers away. Let us have the presence of security agencies there because the forest extends to Niger State. If we secure the area, Oyo State will remain secure,” he added.

The visit comes days after President Tinubu disclosed that security agencies secured the release of the abducted pupils and teachers without paying ransom.

According to the President, intelligence-driven operations, rather than negotiations, were used to pressure the kidnappers, leading to the successful rescue of the victims after about 56 days in captivity.

The operation involved coordinated efforts by the military, police and intelligence agencies, resulting in the arrest of several suspects while others were neutralised during the mission.

The meeting at the Presidential Villa focused on sustaining security gains and preventing future attacks in Oyo State.