President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that his administration will show no mercy to terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits who continue to threaten the nation’s security, warning them to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
Speaking on the country’s security situation, the President expressed concern over the recent abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as unfortunate developments that have cast a shadow over the national mood.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” Tinubu said, stressing that democracy cannot thrive without adequate security.
The President said his administration had declared a security emergency and intensified efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture through the recruitment of more than 50,000 additional police officers and thousands of military personnel.
According to him, the Federal Government has allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, the highest security expenditure in the nation’s history.
“Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” he stated.
Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s security operations have evolved from routine training exercises with international partners, including the United States, France and other European countries, to precision-targeted military actions against insurgents.
He disclosed that security forces recently degraded a major command centre of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Arege, Borno State, as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations.
Highlighting gains recorded in the fight against terrorism, the President said terror-related deaths have dropped by 81 per cent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised within the past year.
He added that the government remains committed to rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, revealing that over 124,000 former fighters and their dependants have surrendered under Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Issuing a stern warning to criminal elements and their sponsors, Tinubu said the government’s offer of surrender would not remain available indefinitely.
“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,” he said.
The President also urged Nigerians to remain united in the face of security challenges, warning against ethnic profiling and blame games.
“Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he said.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the country would ultimately overcome terrorism and emerge stronger and more prosperous.
