The Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a major turning point in the fight against kidnapping in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Olubadan, who led a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, praised the Federal Government’s firm stance of refusing to pay ransom to abductors.
“When kidnapping of school children occurred in Oyo, we were apprehensive and questioned what the federal and state governments were doing. But we have now seen that, working with your security forces, you have turned the tide on kidnapping in Nigeria. Your decision not to pay ransom and to stand firm shows that we have a government that knows what it is doing,” Oba Ladoja said.
He added: “We cannot thank you enough for the feat. It was a big feat because the people of Oyo State almost thought the situation was going to be another Chibok… It has now brought a turning point in the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria, not only in Oyo State, because people now know that you have a President who will not negotiate from a position of weakness with any kidnapper.”
The commendation follows the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The victims regained their freedom in July 2026 after spending approximately 56 days in captivity. President Tinubu had disclosed that security agencies rejected ransom demands and the release of detained gang members, relying instead on intelligence-led operations that pressured the abductors into freeing the victims without payment.
The Olubadan further advised the President to maintain a sustained security presence in the forest corridor linking Oyo and Niger States to prevent the return of criminal elements.
President Tinubu received the traditional rulers and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security, including enhanced forest security measures and the non-negotiation policy with criminals.