Nigeria: Tinubu warns bandits, terror sponsors to surrender or face state’s full force
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism, urging them to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state.
Speaking in his Democracy Day address on June 12 in Abuja, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and safeguarding lives and property. He expressed concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, calling the incidents unfortunate.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” the President said. He added that “democracy without security is not solid enough,” and described security as a cornerstone of democratic governance.
Tinubu said his administration had declared a security emergency and taken concrete steps to strengthen the security architecture. He disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel. The 2026 national budget also allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the largest in Nigeria’s history.
Addressing criminal groups directly, Tinubu said: “To bandits, kidnappers, 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 called on Nigerians to remain united against insecurity and avoid ethnic profiling. “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,” he said.
The President expressed confidence that the country would overcome terrorism and other security threats, pledging continued efforts toward a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
