President Bola Tinubu on Friday issued a strong warning to kidnappers, bandits and financiers of terrorism, declaring that his administration would not spare those responsible for the killing and abduction of innocent Nigerians.
The President made the declaration during his nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 27th consecutive Democracy Day celebration, describing security as the foundation upon which the country’s democratic gains must stand.
Tinubu said individuals and groups involved in acts of terror have been given a final opportunity to surrender, warning that the Federal Government was prepared to unleash the full weight of the law against anyone who refused to do so.
“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,” the President stated.
He said his administration had strengthened military operations through improved collaboration with international partners and had shifted attention to more targeted operations against criminal networks across the country.
According to him, security forces recently struck major terrorist positions in the North-East, including an operation that weakened the command structure of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The President also revealed that more than 13,000 terrorists had been eliminated within the past year, while terror-related fatalities had dropped significantly over the years.
Tinubu, however, maintained that the government was balancing military action with rehabilitation efforts. He disclosed that over 124,000 former fighters and their dependants had surrendered through the Operation Safe Corridor programme since 2023.
Speaking on the country’s security funding, the President said the Federal Government had committed N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, describing it as the largest allocation ever made to the sector.
He added that over 50,000 new police officers, alongside thousands of military personnel, had been approved for recruitment to strengthen security operations and bridge the manpower gap across the country.
Despite the government’s efforts, Tinubu admitted that the Democracy Day celebration was overshadowed by the continued abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
He said the nation remained hopeful that the victims would regain their freedom, stressing that democracy could only thrive in a secure environment.
“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 a mirage,” he said.
The President also urged Nigerians not to politicise or ethnicise criminal activities, insisting that insecurity should be confronted with a united national front.
“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.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he added.
Beyond security, Tinubu highlighted reforms in the electricity sector, saying his administration inherited a power industry plagued by low generation, poor transmission infrastructure and a massive metering deficit.
He said the Electricity Act had empowered states to participate in electricity generation and distribution, while the government had also approved measures to clear long-standing debts in the sector and expand access to off-grid power projects.
The President further pointed to improvements in the economy, noting that non-oil exports had increased, investor confidence was returning and more support was being provided to small businesses and the agricultural sector.
He, however, acknowledged that many Nigerians were still struggling with the rising cost of living, promising that his administration would continue to focus on reducing inflation, boosting food production and creating jobs.
According to him, the next stage of his economic reforms would ensure that the benefits of democracy are reflected in the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
“Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity,” he said.
