President Bola Tinubu has said the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions will significantly enhance the country’s capacity to tackle insecurity, while assuring Nigerians that proposed state police will operate under constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse.
The President made the remarks on Thursday while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu said the additional four army divisions were established to enable faster military responses to security threats across the country and improve the operational effectiveness of the armed forces.
“The 12 divisions are now better motivated to respond swiftly wherever insecurity occurs,” the President said, adding that the government remains committed to restoring peace across the country.
The President praised the military and other security agencies for the successful rescue of victims in the Oriire abduction incident, attributing the operation to the professionalism of security personnel, intelligence gathering, and the support of traditional rulers and local communities.
He disclosed that the Federal Government rejected demands by the kidnappers, including requests for the release of detained members of their criminal network.
“We refused to negotiate. These criminals wanted us to release members of their gang already in detention. I said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” Tinubu said.
He also noted that regional instability in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has intensified Nigeria’s security challenges, citing the movement of armed groups across porous borders.
Addressing concerns over the proposed establishment of state police, Tinubu assured Nigerians that adequate legal and institutional safeguards would be introduced to prevent political misuse.
“There will be state police. That state police will have guardrails against abuse. We will protect it from abuse, and traditional rulers will also have important roles to play,” he said.
The President added that the Federal Government is strengthening the capacity of forest guards to improve security in forests and rural communities increasingly used as hideouts by criminal groups.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities within their communities, stressing that intelligence from residents remains critical to combating insecurity.
He also encouraged state governments to prioritise investments in road infrastructure to improve economic development and enable quicker deployment of security personnel.
Rather than focusing on prestige projects, governors should build road networks that improve accessibility and support security operations, he said.
Speaking on the economy, Tinubu said fiscal conditions had improved significantly, noting that state governments now receive stronger revenues than in previous years.
According to him, governors are no longer borrowing to pay workers’ salaries, creating opportunities for greater investment in infrastructure and public services.s
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the administration for the successful rescue operation and ongoing infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The monarch reiterated his support for true federalism and regional development commissions, while urging the Federal Government to formally recognise constitutional roles for traditional rulers in governance.
Senior government officials present at the meeting included Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
