FG won’t negotiate with criminals — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration will not engage in negotiations with criminals, emphasizing a firm stance against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats in Nigeria. Speaking on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, Tinubu asserted that the country would intensify intelligence-driven operations to combat these issues.

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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 message to them.

Tinubu commended the armed forces for their recent rescue operations and acknowledged the support of traditional rulers in bolstering security efforts. He noted that recent security challenges, such as the Oyo school abduction, have prompted a critical review of the nation's security architecture and operational strategies. "That event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes and challenges us to examine and re-examine our security architecture, strategy, map and operations," he stated.

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That event (Oyo school abduction) teaches us new methods, opens our eyes and challenges us to examine and re-examine our security architecture, strategy, map and operations.

To enhance response times and operational effectiveness, the Federal Government has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions. President Tinubu reiterated the administration's policy of refusing ransom payments and negotiating with criminal groups. "We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions outside the money they were looking for, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals," he said.

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From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry.

Furthermore, the government is strengthening forest guards and working towards establishing state police forces, incorporating safeguards to prevent abuses. Tinubu assured that forest guards would be equipped to confront criminal elements operating in forests nationwide. He also stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and urged traditional rulers to promote vigilance among their communities.

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We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions outside the money they were looking for, and we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals.