‘We know the forest’, Tinubu explains refusal to negotiate with terrorists over Oriire abduction

President Bola Tinubu has defended the Federal Government's decision not to negotiate with terrorists responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. He asserted that security agencies' intimate knowledge of the terrain where the victims were held was crucial to the successful rescue operation.

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Congratulations on the Oriire Oyo State rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance.

Speaking in Abuja while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, Tinubu commended the armed forces for their performance. "We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is," he stated, highlighting his administration's firm policy against paying ransoms to criminal groups. He emphasized that intelligence and a deep understanding of the environment informed the government's approach.

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We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is.

The president noted that the rescue operation reinforced the need for continuous review and improvement of Nigeria's security architecture. "Each event teaches us new method, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategies, our map and operations," Tinubu said. He revealed plans to expand the military's operational capacity by increasing the number of divisions from eight to 12 to shorten response times and enhance efforts against terrorism and banditry.

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Each event teaches us new method, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategies, our map and operations.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his commitment to establishing state police, assuring that safeguards would be implemented to prevent abuses. He urged traditional rulers to continue supporting security efforts and announced plans to strengthen the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal elements operating in forests. Gunmen had abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, from three schools in Oriire LGA on May 15. One teacher was killed in captivity, but the remaining victims were freed after 56 days.

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There will be state police. And as state police will have guardrails from abuses. We protect it from abuses.