President Bola Tinubu has linked the rising wave of insecurity in Nigeria to the ongoing political and social instability in the Sahel region, specifically naming Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali as major contributors to the country`s security challenges.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the President disclosed that many of the terrorists operating within Nigeria’s borders are non-Nigerians exploiting the porous regional boundaries.
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Reflecting on the recent abduction of the Oriire schoolchildren and teachers, President Tinubu revealed that the kidnappers attempted to blackmail the Federal Government. Aside from demanding a ransom, the terrorists sought the release of their detained colleagues.

"We said no deal, and we won’t negotiate with criminals," Tinubu declared, affirming his administration’s hardline stance against banditry. He added that because the criminals murdered a teacher during the standoff, the government was prepared to take the toughest possible measures against them and their collaborators.

The President emphasized that the structural collapse and active conflicts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are "adding more fuel" to Nigeria`s internal security struggles. To counter this cross-border infiltration, Tinubu announced immediate plans to overhaul local security architectures.

The Federal Government will focus heavily on enhancing the operational capacity of forest guards to secure vast, unpoliced terrains. Furthermore, the President re-emphasized his commitment to establishing state police forces across the federation to ensure a more localized and swift response to criminal elements.