President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, assuring citizens that the proposed creation of state police will be guided by strict safeguards designed to prevent abuse of power and political interference.
The President gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Addressing concerns that governors could misuse state-controlled police formations, Tinubu said the Federal Government is developing a framework that includes institutional checks and balances to guarantee accountability and professionalism.
He stressed that the proposed policing model would not operate without oversight.
According to the President, traditional rulers will play a significant role in promoting accountability within the state police system because of their deep-rooted influence in local communities and their longstanding contributions to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Tinubu described the proposed state police initiative as part of a broader national security strategy aimed at tackling rising insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and violent crimes across the country.
He noted that stronger collaboration between federal authorities, state governments, traditional institutions and local communities would be critical to achieving lasting peace.
As part of the government’s ongoing reforms, the President disclosed that the Federal Government is strengthening the capacity of forest guards to confront criminal gangs operating from forests across Nigeria.
Rather than serving only conservation purposes, he said the guards will receive enhanced operational support to track and neutralise criminal elements hiding in remote locations.
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He also announced that the Federal Government has increased the number of Nigerian Army divisions from eight to twelve through the establishment of four new divisions.
According to him, the expansion is expected to improve military deployment, enhance operational efficiency and ensure faster responses to security threats nationwide.
Tinubu praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for successfully rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the operation as a major victory in the fight against kidnapping.
The President disclosed that his administration rejected demands by the kidnappers, who reportedly sought ransom payments and the release of detained members of their criminal network.
He insisted that the Federal Government would not negotiate with criminal groups, maintaining that such concessions would only embolden kidnappers and encourage further attacks.
He added that intelligence-driven operations and coordinated efforts by security agencies ultimately led to the successful rescue of the victims without compromising the government’s position against negotiating with criminals.
Speaking further, Tinubu attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in neighbouring countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic.
He said cross-border movements by armed groups have intensified security pressures within Nigeria, making regional cooperation and stronger border surveillance increasingly important.
The President therefore appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious persons and activities within their communities.
He emphasised that credible intelligence from residents remains one of the most effective tools in preventing criminal attacks.
Beyond security, Tinubu highlighted improvements in the nation’s fiscal position, stating that ongoing economic reforms have increased revenue available to state governments.
He urged governors to invest those resources in projects that directly improve the lives of citizens.
Specifically, the President advised state governments to prioritise the construction and rehabilitation of strategic roads that improve connectivity and provide easier access for security personnel to rural communities instead of committing huge resources to unnecessary flyover projects.
He explained that better road infrastructure would not only stimulate economic growth but also strengthen emergency response, improve agricultural transportation and support security operations in underserved areas.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland commended the President for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire and praised his administration’s efforts in road rehabilitation and infrastructure development across the country.
The monarch reaffirmed the support of traditional rulers for the Renewed Hope Agenda and urged the Federal Government to sustain its development initiatives despite prevailing economic and security challenges..
He also advocated true federalism and called for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers to enable them to contribute more effectively to governance and community security.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had earlier disclosed that lawmakers are considering an independent federal funding mechanism as one of the safeguards for the proposed state police structure.
The measure is expected to strengthen accountability and reduce the risk of political influence over state police commands.
The proposed state police system remains one of the Federal Government’s most significant security reform initiatives, with the administration insisting that transparency, oversight and collaboration with traditional institutions will be central to its implementation.
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