… Warns bandits, kidnappers to surrender
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria is making significant gains in the fight against terrorism and other security threats, revealing that terror-related deaths have dropped by 81% since 2015.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President said his administration had intensified efforts to tackle insecurity through increased recruitment into security agencies, higher defence spending and sustained military operations against terrorist groups.
Tinubu, however, acknowledged the continued security challenges facing the country, particularly the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” he said.
“Democracy without security is not solid enough.”
The President disclosed that his administration had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers as well as thousands of military recruits to strengthen security operations nationwide.
He also said the 2026 budget allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security, describing it as the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
According to Tinubu, Nigeria’s security forces have shifted from conventional training exercises with international partners to more targeted military operations against terrorists.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting,” he said.
The President cited a recent military operation in Arege, Borno State, where security forces successfully degraded a command centre of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
He further revealed that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year.
“Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted progress under Operation Safe Corridor, a federal government programme aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant insurgents.
“Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor,”he stated.
Despite keeping the rehabilitation window open, the President issued a stern warning to criminal groups operating across the country.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror, surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” Tinubu declared.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
The President pleaded with Nigerians not to politicise insecurity or blame particular ethnic groups for criminal activities, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires national unity.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity,” he said.
“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”
Tinubu also commended members of the armed forces, police and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices in defending the country and maintaining peace.
“To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services, Nigeria salutes your sacrifice,” the President said.