–Urges state chief executives to channel more revenues into security-critical infrastructure
—Says some criminal elements involved in Onire kidnap not Nigerians
—Explains why govt refused to negotiate with abductors of Onire pupils
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged state governors to prioritise roads and other essential infrastructure instead of constructing flyovers and “white‑elephant” projects, saying better connectivity is vital to reducing insecurity, unlocking economic opportunities and improving Nigerians’ quality of life.
Tinubu gave the advice while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said fiscal reforms have increased states’ resources and urged governors to invest those funds in projects that deliver real benefits for citizens rather than costly prestige schemes with little public value.
Extending roads into underserved communities, he said, will boost economic activity and allow security agencies faster access when responding to emergencies. Tinubu argued that strategic infrastructure is indispensable as the country intensifies efforts to defeat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
“The money going to the states today is four to five times what they used to receive. Nobody is borrowing to pay salaries anymore, and pensioners are receiving their entitlements,” he said, urging governors to do more with the increased revenue.
“You should help us communicate to these governors. If you had this money during your own time or during my time, it would have been different. Instead of building flyovers where there is no significant traffic, build roads and arterial networks that improve access, enhance quality of life and enable security agencies to reach vulnerable communities quickly.”
Tinubu said infrastructure planning should be driven by the needs of the people and national security priorities, noting that accessible road networks are critical for rapid deployment of security personnel and delivery of essential services.
He highlighted his administration’s broader security reforms, including plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, establish state police with constitutional safeguards, and strengthen the Forest Guard to tackle criminals operating in forests.
“As we emphasise security, each event teaches us new methods and challenges us to re‑examine our architecture, strategy and operations,” he said.
“We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest, and in answer to it, we are moving from eight divisions to 12 to shorten response times and give our forces the teeth needed to defeat terrorism and banditry.”
Tinubu warned against negotiating with criminals, saying some abductors demanded the release of already‑detained gang members in addition to ransom.
He also said some perpetrators are non‑Nigerians, linking cross‑border insecurity to instability in neighbouring Sahel countries.
“We are enhancing the capacity of the forest guards. They will not only protect wildlife; they will pursue criminals in the forests. Intelligence is important, and I urge people to be vigilant, know their neighbourhoods and report strangers,” he said.
He added that state police will include safeguards to prevent abuse and that traditional rulers will have roles to play.
He congratulated the traditional rulers on the success of the rescue got Oriire pupils in Oyo state.
“I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance.
“On behalf of them, I accept your message, and I will forward the same thing and the same message on.
“As we emphasise the question of security, that each event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes, challenge us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategy, our map and operations.
“And you will have seen we’ve given a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest. We know what it is, and in answer to it, you’ve seen that from eight divisions. Now we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry.
“It is very necessary, and we are doing so. We have equally embarked upon what was missing, several decades of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level will be corrected. “
President Tinubu highlighted the importance and advantages of state police in curbing criminal activities in the state.
He also said that mechanisms have been put in place to guard against abuses.
“There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrail from abuses. We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have role to play more,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, thanked the President for the federal government’s response to recent kidnappings in Oyo State. He said the refusal to pay ransom marked a turning point and showed the government’s resolve.
“We were apprehensive after that first major kidnapping in Oyo State, but between you and your security people, you have made a turning point. The fact that you did not pay ransom shows we now have a government that knows what it is doing,” he said.
Oba Ladoja urged sustained security presence in the forest that spans Oyo to Niger State — from Iseyin and Igboho through Kishi to Kwara and Baruten — to prevent criminals from regrouping. He also commended the President’s infrastructural projects in Oyo, noting 10 ongoing projects valued at over N2 trillion and improved road networks that promise progress by the end of Tinubu’s term.
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