President Bola Tinubu has categorically ruled out any negotiations with terrorists or payment of ransom for the release of kidnap victims, responding to the May 15 abduction of school children and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State. The President made the remarks on July 30 while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the State House in Abuja.
Abduction Demands and Government Response
The President disclosed that the abductors had demanded both a ransom and the release of their jailed members, but the government flatly refused. “We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested, that was one of their conditions, outside of the money they were looking for. And we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” Tinubu stated.
The President emphasized that the administration would not capitulate to terrorist demands, even as he spoke publicly about the incident for the first time since the rescue of the victims on July 10. He added, “They committed murder, and we were ready to finish with their families, members of their own communities. They grew up somewhere.”
Traditional Rulers' Visit and Context
The delegation of traditional rulers visited the President to discuss security and other regional issues. The Oyo school abduction, one of several high-profile kidnapping incidents in Nigeria, saw the safe return of all abductees after nearly two months in captivity. The government has faced mounting pressure to address the security crisis, but Tinubu’s stance signals a hardline approach against ransom payments, which are believed to fuel further kidnappings.
The President’s comments underscore his administration's policy of non-negotiation with terrorist groups, aligning with broader counter-terrorism strategies. The rescue operation, details of which remain largely undisclosed, was carried out without any known payment of ransom, according to the government.
