President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that State Police will operate with adequate safeguards to prevent abuse, while announcing that the expansion of the Nigerian Army to 12 divisions will strengthen the fight against insecurity nationwide.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the proposed State Police system will operate under strict safeguards to prevent abuse, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security through the expansion of the Nigerian Army.
The President made the remarks on Thursday while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government had expanded the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve the military’s ability to respond swiftly to security threats across the country.
According to him, the additional divisions have strengthened the operational capacity and motivation of the armed forces in confronting terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity.
The President commended the armed forces for the successful rescue operation involving the Oriire abduction case and acknowledged the support and prayers of traditional rulers and Nigerians.
“Congratulations on the Oriire rescue that succeeded. We succeeded with your support and prayers, and I commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” he said.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s policy of refusing to negotiate with criminal groups.
He revealed that the kidnappers had demanded the release of detained members of their gang, alongside ransom payments, but the government rejected the conditions.
“We refused to negotiate. These criminals wanted us to release members of their criminal gangs already in detention. I said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” the President stated.
He also attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in neighbouring countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, which he said has intensified cross-border security threats.
On the proposed creation of State Police, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the system would include robust legal and institutional safeguards to prevent misuse.
“There will be State Police. That State Police will have guardrails against abuses. We will protect it from abuse, and traditional rulers will also have important roles to play,” he said.
The President further announced plans to strengthen the capacity of forest guards, saying they would play a more active role in tracking and combating criminals operating in forests across the country.
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious individuals and activities within their communities, stressing that intelligence gathering remains critical to tackling insecurity.
Speaking on the economy, Tinubu said the country’s financial situation had improved significantly, noting that state governments now enjoy stronger revenues and no longer depend on borrowing to pay workers’ salaries.
He urged traditional rulers to encourage governors to prioritise investments in critical infrastructure, particularly road networks that would improve access for security agencies and stimulate economic development.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, commended the President for the successful Oriire rescue operation and the achievements recorded under his administration.
The monarch advocated greater commitment to true federalism and said the establishment of regional development commissions would accelerate development across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
He also pledged the support of traditional rulers for the Renewed Hope Agenda and called for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions by assigning them formal roles in governance.
The meeting was attended by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service Zacch Adedeji, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication Sunday Dare, and several prominent traditional rulers from Oyo State.
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