The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping, saying the administration has reached a turning point in tackling the crime.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, the monarch said the Federal Government’s handling of the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State restored public confidence in the nation’s security response.
Leading a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, Ladoja commended Tinubu for refusing to negotiate with kidnappers through ransom payments, describing the decision as bold and necessary to discourage future abductions.
He recalled that residents initially feared the incident could become another prolonged national tragedy but said the successful rescue operation proved the government’s resolve to confront insecurity.
According to the monarch, the coordinated efforts of federal and state security agencies reassured citizens that authorities were capable of addressing kidnapping without yielding to criminal demands.
Ladoja, however, urged the President not to relent, calling for a permanent security presence in the forest reserve linking Oyo and Niger states. He warned that abandoning the area after the operation could allow criminal elements to regroup.
He noted that securing the expansive forest corridor would significantly improve the overall security situation in Oyo State and neighbouring communities.
President Tinubu had earlier explained that the Federal Government rejected demands to pay ransom for the kidnapped victims, insisting that doing so would only strengthen criminal networks and encourage more abductions.
Instead, security agencies relied on intelligence-driven operations to trace the kidnappers, dismantle their support networks and intensify pressure on the gang until the victims were released unharmed.
The operation, carried out by the military, police and intelligence agencies, resulted in the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after about 56 days in captivity. Authorities also arrested eight suspects while several others were reportedly killed during the mission.
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