We Know the Forest’: Tinubu Justifies Why FG Refused to Pay Ransom in Oriire School Abduction
BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
President Bola Tinubu has revealed that the Federal Government declined to pay ransom to terrorists responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State because security agencies possessed critical intelligence about the terrain where the victims were being held.
The President made the disclosure on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving a delegation of Oyo State traditional rulers led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Commending the Armed Forces for the successful rescue operation, Tinubu attributed the outcome to improved security coordination, the support of traditional institutions, and the prayers of Nigerians.
“Congratulations on the Oriire rescue operation. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. We must commend the men and women of the Armed Forces for their excellent performance,” the President said.
Reaffirming his administration’s unwavering stance against negotiating with criminal elements, Tinubu stressed that the government’s understanding of the forest geography played a decisive role in the operation.
“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is,” he stated.
According to the President, the Oriire incident has provided valuable lessons that will further strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.
“Each event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes, and challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategies, our maps, and our operations,” he noted.
Tinubu disclosed that the military is expanding its operational capacity by increasing the number of divisions from eight to twelve, a move aimed at shortening response times and intensifying the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response capability the teeth needed to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.
The President also reiterated his commitment to the establishment of state police, assuring Nigerians that adequate safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse.
“There will be state police, and there will be guardrails against abuses. We will protect it from abuses,” he assured.
He further called on traditional rulers to sustain their support for security agencies, while revealing plans to strengthen the capacity of forest guards to tackle criminal activities in the nation’s forests.
“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards. They are not just to chase antelopes and animals; they are going to chase criminals and deal with them in our forests,” Tinubu added.
Gunmen had attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. One of the captives, teacher Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity.
On July 10, the Presidency announced the release of the remaining victims after 56 harrowing days in the custody of their abductors, bringing a painful chapter in the nation’s security challenges to a close.
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