The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1, alongside some prominent monarchs from Oyo state, on Thursday paid a thank-you- visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Aso rock villa, Abuja, over the recent release of students and their teachers abducted in Oriire local government.
Oba Ladoja, who is also the chairman, Oyo state council of obas and chiefs, explained that the visit was also to appreciate the efforts of President Tinubu’s administration in addressing the deplorable condition of federal roads, especially the ones linking Ibadan and Oyo state with neighbouring states.
A statement signed by the Media Aide to Olubadan of Ibadanland,
Adeola Oloko, said the royal father listed some of the roads such as the proposed dualisation of Ibadan-Ijebuode road, dualisation of Ogbomoso- Ilorin road, Badagry- Sokoto road through Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of the state, with high optimism that when constructed, would open up so many towns and villages along the corridor.
The first class monarch stated that the benefits of a good road cannot be over- emphasized, pledging the unflinching support and co-operation of people, especially at the grassroots level in ensuring smooth execution of the projects.
On the recent release of abducted teachers and students at Oriire from captivity, Oba Ladoja said there was fear over the possibility of the victims’ recovery at some point, even though they did not doubt the capacity of the Nigerian security operatives to deliver.
While noting that the efforts of both President Tinubu and all stakeholders are commendable, Oba Ladoja noted that the thank- you visit was meant to start with a visit to the Oyo state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Wednesday but could not be made possible.
Speaking publicly about the incident for the first time since the rescue of the Oyo abductees on July 10, President Tinubu said the rescue operation was possible because the military had the geographical layout of the forest, and that every security event taught the Federal Government new lessons that demanded structural adaptation.
Also at the meeting, Tinubu said terrorists who abducted school children and teachers in Oriire last May had demanded the release of their jailed members alongside their ransom demand but were flatly refused.
He revealed that his directive to expand the Army from eight to 12 divisions was a direct operational response to the Oriire school abduction crisis, saying the increase was designed to shorten response times and give security forces the numerical and geographic capacity to defeat terrorism and banditry.
Tinubu explained that his administration will neither negotiate with terrorists nor pay ransoms for rescue.
“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, 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,” he said.
The president added that “There will be state police, and that state police will have guardrails from abuses.
“We will protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play more.”
The royal delegation comprises Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun kola-Daisi.
Others are Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji, Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S. Otolorin, who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso, and Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan, who represented Okere of Saki.
