We Know the Forest’ — Tinubu Says FG Refused Ransom in Oriire Abduction Because of Terrain Knowledge

ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has explained why the Federal Government refused to pay ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying security agencies had a clear understanding of the forest terrain where the victims were held.

Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State at the State House, Abuja. The delegation was led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Commending the armed forces for the rescue, the President said the operation succeeded because of improved security coordination and the support of traditional institutions.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated the government’s long-standing policy against paying ransom to criminal groups.

“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is,” he stated.

According to Tinubu, that knowledge of the area guided the military’s approach and helped secure the release of the victims without negotiations with the abductors.

The President said the Oriire incident underscored the need to continuously review how Nigeria responds to terrorism and banditry.

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

As part of that review, Tinubu announced an expansion of the military’s operational structure. Nigeria currently operates eight military divisions. The plan is to increase that to 12.

“From eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time, to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” he said.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing state police, with mechanisms to prevent misuse.

“There will be state police. And as state police will have guardrails from abuses. We protect it from abuses,” he said.

He further said the government is strengthening forest guards, shifting their role from wildlife protection to directly confronting criminal groups hiding in forests.

“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards. They are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase the criminals and deal with them in various forests,” the President added.

Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal.

During the 56 days the victims spent in captivity, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed.

The Presidency announced on July 10 that the remaining victims had regained their freedom following a security operation.

The rescue has drawn both relief and scrutiny, with calls for more accountability around school security and rural protection in Oyo State. Governor Seyi Makinde has since constituted a judicial panel to probe the attack.

Tinubu urged traditional rulers to continue supporting security efforts at the community level, noting that local intelligence and cooperation remain critical to defeating banditry.

The meeting with the Oyo monarchs comes as the federal government faces pressure to improve response times to kidnappings and to provide safer learning environments across the country.