President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the proposed establishment of state police forces across the country will feature strict institutional guardrails to prevent political abuse by state governors.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja while hosting members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, President Tinubu highlighted the role of traditional institutions in promoting local accountability and maintaining regional stability. He emphasized that the proposed decentralized policing framework would operate under defined checks and balances to protect citizens and ensure law enforcement remains focused on public safety.
As part of broader national security operational adjustments, President Tinubu announced that the Federal Government is upgrading the tactical focus of Nigeria's forest guards, retraining personnel to directly combat criminal networks operating within dense woodland corridors rather than remaining limited to conventional wildlife conservation.
The President also disclosed that the Nigerian Army's operational capacity is being expanded from eight to 12 divisions to enhance troop deployment speeds and shorten tactical response times against terrorism, banditry, and cross-border security threats.
Highlighting recent counter-terrorism operations, President Tinubu commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for securing the freedom of abducted pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. He disclosed that the administration maintained a strict non-negotiation policy throughout the ordeal, rejecting demands from the abductors for ransom payments and the release of detained suspects. The President noted that cross-border weapon flows and mercenary activity stemming from ongoing instability in the Sahel region continue to aggravate domestic security challenges.
Turning to domestic economic governance, President Tinubu stated that improved federal revenue collection has significantly boosted statutory monthly allocations distributed to state governments. He urged state leaders to direct these funds toward constructing and rehabilitating rural road networks, noting that improved transportation infrastructure enhances security force mobility and connects remote agricultural communities to national markets.
In his remarks, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the Federal Government's counter-insurgency efforts and expressed gratitude for the rescue of the Oriire school victims. The traditional ruler reaffirmed the council's support for the Renewed Hope Agenda, advocating for true federalism, increased infrastructural investment, and defined constitutional roles for traditional leaders to support grassroots security and development across Nigeria.
