President Bola Tinubu has warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state.
In his Democracy Day broadcast on Friday, the president said the government would continue to pursue those behind violent crimes across the country while keeping a window open for those willing to lay down their arms.
“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.
Tinubu said the country remained concerned about the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states but expressed hope for their safe return.
He noted that his administration had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers as well as thousands of military recruits.
According to him, the 2026 budget allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the largest amount ever committed to the sector.
The president said security agencies had intensified operations against terrorist groups and criminal networks.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu added that terror-related deaths had fallen by 81 per cent since 2015 and that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year.
He said the government remained open to receiving those willing to abandon violence, noting that more than 124,000 fighters and dependants had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
The president urged non-state actors and terror financiers to take advantage of the opportunity before it closes.
Calling for national unity, Tinubu said Nigerians should avoid blaming any ethnic group for criminal activities.
“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 also urged Nigerians to reject division and remain hopeful about the country’s future.
“Let us move forward together rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.”
