Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Security, Warns Terrorists to Surrender

Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Security, Warns Terrorists to Surrender
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across Nigeria, warning that terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors must surrender or face decisive action from the government.
In his Democracy Day address on Friday, President Tinubu said security remains one of the top priorities of his administration amid growing concerns over kidnappings and violent attacks in parts of the country.
The President described the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states as a tragic development that had dampened the national mood, stressing that democracy cannot thrive in the absence of security.
According to him, the Federal Government had already declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers as well as thousands of military personnel to strengthen the nation’s security framework.
Tinubu also disclosed that the 2026 national budget earmarked N5.41 trillion for defence and security, describing it as the highest security allocation in the country’s history aimed at improving the capacity and operational effectiveness of security agencies.
Highlighting progress made in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, the President said the military had shifted from conventional joint training exercises with international partners to precision-targeted operations against terrorist groups.
He noted that security forces successfully dismantled a major command centre of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, in Arege, Borno State, while terror-related deaths had dropped by 81 per cent since 2015.
The President further revealed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised within the past year through coordinated operations involving the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions.
Tinubu also cited the successes of Operation Safe Corridor, stating that over 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered since 2023 under the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme.
While expressing readiness to accept genuine surrenders, the President issued a stern warning to criminal elements, declaring that no mercy would be shown to those involved in terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
He commended members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices and dedication in safeguarding the country, describing them as key pillars of national stability and democratic governance.
The President also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to support peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts, emphasising that the fight against insecurity requires collective responsibility.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united against criminality and cautioned against ethnicising insecurity, insisting that crime has no ethnic identity.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its current security challenges and continue progressing toward national prosperity and democratic consolidation.