President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to remain united and support ongoing efforts to strengthen security and national cohesion, assuring citizens that the country will overcome terrorism, banditry and other threats to peace.
Speaking in a nationwide broadcast to commemorate Democracy Day on Friday, June 12, the President said Nigeria must stand together in confronting insecurity and building a more prosperous future.
He expressed confidence that the nation’s security challenges would be overcome, declaring that the enemies of Nigeria would soon become history.
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The President cautioned against assigning ethnic or regional identities to criminal activities, insisting that crime has no ethnicity and should be confronted collectively by all Nigerians.
“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.
President Tinubu warned bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the law, stressing that the government’s window for surrender would not remain open indefinitely.
The Nigerian leader added that no mercy would be shown to individuals who profit from violence and the bloodshed of innocent 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.
While expressing concern over the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno States, the President said the nation remained hopeful for their safe return, emphasizing that democracy cannot thrive without security.
President Tinubu noted that restoring effective local government administration is essential to national development, saying the decadence of governance at the grassroots has played a role in worsening insecurity across the country.
He disclosed that his administration had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers alongside thousands of military recruits to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
President Tinubu further revealed that the 2026 budget provides N5.41 trillion for defence and security, describing it as the largest allocation ever made to the sector.
Highlighting progress in the fight against terrorism, he said security operations had advanced from training exercises with international partners to precision-targeting missions against terrorist networks.
The President cited the degradation of an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State, and disclosed that terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015.
He added that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year, while over 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
“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. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
“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% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open.
Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor. President Tinubu disclosed.
The Nigerian Leader commended members of the armed forces, police and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation, while also appreciating traditional rulers, religious leaders and community heads for supporting peace and reconciliation efforts.
He also recognised the contributions of labour leaders, journalists, students, women, professionals, political leaders and members of the armed forces to the nation’s democratic development.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to secure every part of the country, stressing that peace, security and national unity remain essential to sustaining democracy and advancing development.
