Adejola Adeyemi Crown
President Bola Tinubu on Friday issued a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism across the country, directing them to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
The President gave the warning in his Democracy Day nationwide broadcast, during which he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and protecting Nigerians.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” Tinubu declared.
The President noted that this year’s Democracy Day celebration was overshadowed by the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, but assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure their safe return.
He said, “Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough.”
According to him, the Federal Government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military recruits to strengthen national security.
Tinubu disclosed that the 2026 budget allocated N5.41tn to defence and security, describing it as the highest security expenditure in the country’s history.
He reiterated the gains recorded in the fight against terrorism, saying security forces had moved beyond training exercises with foreign allies to precision operations against criminal elements.
The President revealed that troops successfully degraded the command centre of the Islamic State West Africa Province in Arege, Borno State, while terror-related deaths had dropped significantly.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015,” he said.
Tinubu further disclosed that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the last year, while more than 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Despite the successes, the President maintained that the government would continue to provide opportunities for repentant fighters willing to lay down their arms.
“But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependants have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor,” he stated.
Calling for national unity, Tinubu urged Nigerians not to politicise or ethnicise criminality, insisting that insecurity remained a collective challenge requiring a united response.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he added.
The President used the occasion to pay tribute to pro-democracy activists and heroes of the June 12 struggle, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, whose sacrifices helped secure democratic governance in the country.
He stressed that while the June 12 heroes secured political freedom, the current generation must focus on securing economic prosperity for Nigerians.
“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” Tinubu said.
The President also announced the approval of the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, after the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
He further unveiled a list of pro-democracy activists, journalists, labour leaders and military officers who would receive national honours for their roles in the struggle for democratic rule.
Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to reject division and embrace unity, hope and confidence as the country continues its democratic journey.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” he said.
