President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that the current administration is responding to emerging security threats by overhauling the country’s operational strategy.
He stated on Thursday while playing host to members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the State House, Abuja, that the security architecture was being strengthened through the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to reduce response time and improve operational effectiveness against terrorists and bandits.
The President explained that the proposed State police system, which has generated national debate for decades, would be designed with institutional safeguards to ensure that it is not misused by state governments or political actors.
He also said traditional rulers would play active roles within the new policing framework.
According to Tinubu, the worsening insecurity in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic had compounded Nigeria’s security challenges, and reinforced the need to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture through the establishment of state police and the expansion of forest guard operations.
He assured the people that the proposed State police system would be backed by safeguards to prevent abuse.
The Olubadan said the visit was to thank the President for the rescue of the over 40 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire local government after 56 days in captivity.
“Some of them (terrorists) that are non-Nigerians, you see the problem of insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, is adding more fuel to our challenges.
“In fact, that is why we must enhance the capacity of the forest guards as well as create the State police.
“Several decades of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level will be corrected. There will be State police, and that State police will have safeguards from abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have role to play more”, Tinubu said.
The President said every major security incident offered fresh lessons for the country’s security agencies, stressing that government was constantly reviewing its operational strategies and deployment patterns.
“As we emphasise the question of security, each event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategy, our map and operations”, he said.
The President reiterated his administration’s refusal to negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom, revealing that the criminals involved in the Oyo kidnapping had demanded not only money but also the release of detained members of their gang.
“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 of the money they’re looking for, and we said no deal.
“We are not going to negotiate with criminals”, he declared.
According to him, yielding to such demands would embolden criminal groups and undermine the country’s justice system.
He urged Nigerians to complement government efforts by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious persons and activities within their communities.
Tinubu also challenged state governments to channel the increased allocations they now receive into infrastructure that directly improves security and economic activity.
The royal delegation comprised of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun kola-Daisi.
Others were Alajawa of Ajawa,Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji and Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S Otolorin,who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso, and Onigbeti of Igbeti,Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan, who represented Okere of Saki.
(Ripples)