The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, praises President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he describes as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping. Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Ladoja commends the government’s stance against paying ransom to kidnappers, saying the approach restores public confidence in the ability to tackle insecurity. The visit, attended by other traditional rulers from Oyo State, focuses on security in the state following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Ladoja notes that after the abduction, there were fears the incident could become a recurring case, referencing the wider public memory of Chibok, but he says the rescue operation demonstrated improved outcomes. He thanks Tinubu and security agencies for the successful rescue and urges the Federal Government to maintain a sustained security presence in forest areas, including routes extending toward Niger State, to deter kidnappers from returning.
Both outlets report that the commendation follows Tinubu’s earlier disclosure that the abducted pupils and teachers were secured without paying ransom, through intelligence-led operations, including arrests of suspects’ associates and family members, and that the victims were freed in July after about 56 days in captivity.
