Problems in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Contributing to Our Insecurity, Says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has attributed the worsening security situation in Nigeria to the growing instability across the Sahel region, particularly in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.

The President made the remarks on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking on the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire, Tinubu disclosed that the kidnappers demanded the release of some of their arrested members in addition to seeking a ransom.

“That was one of their conditions outside of the money they were looking for. We said no deal, and we won’t negotiate with criminals.

“They committed murder by killing one of the teachers, and we were ready to ‘finish’ with members of their families.

“Some of them who are non-Nigerians. You see the problem in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. It’s adding more fuel to our challenges.

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“That’s why we must enhance the capacity of the forest guards and create state police,” Tinubu said.

The President stressed that the security challenges confronting Nigeria are increasingly being worsened by cross border criminal activities linked to the instability in neighbouring Sahel countries. He maintained that strengthening the country’s security architecture through better equipped forest guards and the establishment of state police would help tackle the growing threat.