President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hosting Traditional Rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja, told the royal fathers that he insisted that no ransom should be paid to the bandits that kidnapped school pupils and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State, for the release of the victims. The kidnapped victims were in the captivity of the bandits in the forest over 50 days.

President Tinubu emphasized that beside the harrowing experience faced by the pupils and the government, the abduction exposed new tactics to dealing with insecurity, which accounts for recent creation of 12 military divisions around the country.

He congratulated the traditional leaders, saying the recent security breach reinforces the need for state policing structure.

The President said his administration will take necessary steps to tackle insecurity at the grassroot level, adding that the last experience has enabled government undertake a geo-physical survey of the forest areas in the South West.

He also highlighted the incursion of aliens from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, saying more forest guards will be engaged to deal with the situation.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, leading the delegation of the traditional rulers, commended President Tinubu for improved security architecture in the country and the successful rescue of the abducted school children and their teachers in the state, which he said was the reason for the courtesy visit.

Recall that on May, 15, 2026, about 44 pupils and teachers were abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

They were successfully rescued alive unharmed on July 10, 2026, through a coordinated arrangement by the Nigerian armed forces after spending 56 days in captivity.