President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday has announced that the Nigerian security forces have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists within one year.
The President made the disclosure in his address to the nation on Democracy Day today in which he reiterated the Government’s resolve to fight terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity facing the country.
According to the President, over 124,000 terrorists and their families have surrendered under the Federal Government’s deradicalisation programme.
He noted further that the insurgency battle had made huge strides since 2015 with the number of terror-related deaths dropping by 81 per cent due to the enhanced intelligence gathering, military operations and international security cooperation.
The President also noted that the Nigerian security agencies have shifted away from traditional military training with other nations like the United States, France and other European countries to more advanced precision targeting exercises against terrorist groups.
The President said they were no longer training with the United States, France and other European countries, but targeting with precision.
He also pointed out that while the military victories have been achieved, the government remains committed to providing opportunities for insurgents who are willing to give up on violence to rehabilitate and reintegrate themselves into society.
“We also have the door to surrender open, though, and more than 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their weapons since 2023 in Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.
The President, however, warned the terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and those behind criminal activities in the country that the government would not tolerate them for long.
“To the bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror, surrender or the Nigerian State will be at your doorstep, these windows of surrender won’t last forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” Tinubu warned.
The President’s address coincided with escalating worries about increasing insecurity in the country, particularly the kidnapping of school children in Oyo and Borno states.
Tinubu acknowledged the incidents, calling the kidnappings unfortunate, and said they had dampened the mood of this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
“The mood of the year is marred by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, but we have prayers for their safe return”, he said, adding that “Democracy without security is not solid enough.”
The President mentioned that his government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers and thousands of military recruits to beef-up the country’s security architecture.
He also revealed that the Federal Government had allocated N5.41 trillion in the 2026 budget for defence and security, which he said is the highest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
“Our administration is always prepared to do much more to secure our people,” Tinubu said.