PHOTO: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives traditional rulers from Oyo State led by Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, in the State House. Thursday, July 30, 2026
L-R: the Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S. Otolorin; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan; the Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; Chairman of Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; Special Adviser to the President on Media & Public Communication, Sunday Dare; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III and Mogaji Wole Arisekola.
By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions would strengthen the military’s capacity to respond swiftly to security threats across the country, while assuring Nigerians that proposed state police would operate under strict safeguards to prevent abuse.
The President spoke at the State House, Abuja, while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Tinubu said the additional four Army divisions were created to improve operational efficiency and ensure a faster response to insecurity, adding that the military was now better equipped and motivated to confront the country’s security challenges.
He commended the armed forces for their role in securing the release of victims in the recent Oriire abduction, attributing the success to the efforts of security personnel, the prayers of traditional rulers and the support of Nigerians.
“Congratulations on the Oriire rescue that succeeded. We succeeded with your support and prayers, and I commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” the President said.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s policy of refusing to negotiate with criminal groups, revealing that the kidnappers had demanded the release of detained members of their gang alongside a ransom.
“We refused to negotiate. They wanted us to release members of their criminal gang already in detention, in addition to the money they demanded. I said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals. They committed murder,” he said.
The President noted that insecurity in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic had worsened Nigeria’s security situation, disclosing that some of the criminal elements involved were foreign nationals.
On the proposed creation of state police, Tinubu assured Nigerians that adequate checks and balances would be put in place to prevent misuse of the system.
“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.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal activities in forests across the country.
The President urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious persons and activities within their communities, stressing that intelligence gathering remained critical to tackling insecurity.
Speaking on the economy, Tinubu said the country’s financial situation had improved significantly, noting that state governments were receiving higher revenues and no longer needed to borrow to pay workers’ salaries.
He urged traditional rulers to encourage governors to prioritise investments in road infrastructure and transport networks that would improve security access and economic activities instead of constructing flyovers where they were not needed.
In his remarks, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, thanked the President for the successful rescue of the Oriire kidnapping victims and commended his administration’s achievements.
The monarch advocated true federalism and said the establishment of regional development commissions would accelerate growth across the country.
He also pledged the support of traditional rulers for the Renewed Hope Agenda and called for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions by assigning them defined roles in governance.
The meeting was attended by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service Zacch Adedeji, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication Sunday Dare, and several traditional rulers from Oyo State.