By Seun Ibiyemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors, declaring that the Federal Government will no longer tolerate violent crimes and that those responsible for the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians will face the full force of the law.
In his nationwide broadcast marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration on Friday, the President said while the government remains committed to offering repentant insurgents an opportunity to surrender, the window for such concessions would not remain open indefinitely.
Addressing the nation, Tinubu stated: “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’s remarks came amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of the country, particularly following the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.
Tinubu acknowledged that the incidents had cast a shadow over the Democracy Day celebration, but assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the safe release of the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
“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,” he said.
Massive Security Investments
The President highlighted steps taken by his administration to tackle insecurity, revealing that the government had declared a security emergency and embarked on one of the most ambitious security expansion programmes in recent years.
According to him, more than 50,000 additional police officers have been approved for recruitment, alongside thousands of military personnel to strengthen operations across the country.
Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, describing it as the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
“Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” he assured.
The President noted that the country’s security architecture had undergone significant improvements through enhanced training, intelligence gathering and stronger international partnerships.
He said Nigerian security agencies had moved beyond basic military cooperation with allies such as the United States, France and other European countries to conducting sophisticated precision operations against terrorist groups.
Gains Against Terrorism
Citing recent successes recorded by security forces, Tinubu disclosed that a major operation in Arege, Borno State, had significantly degraded the command structure of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
He further revealed that terror-related deaths in Nigeria had dropped by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised within the past year alone.
The President attributed the progress to the resilience of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and security personnel working across various theatres of operation.
He also pointed to the achievements of Operation Safe Corridor, the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme, noting that more than 124,000 former fighters and their dependants had voluntarily surrendered since 2023.
While reaffirming the government’s readiness to rehabilitate repentant insurgents, Tinubu stressed that those who refuse to abandon criminality would face decisive military action.
Call for National Unity
The President urged Nigerians not to politicise insecurity or attribute criminal activities to any ethnic or religious group.
“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.
He emphasized that national unity remained critical to overcoming the country’s security challenges and building a stronger democracy.
Tinubu called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community heads and ordinary citizens to continue supporting government efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability.
“The government cannot do it alone,” he noted.
Democracy and the June 12 Legacy
Beyond security, the President used the occasion to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey, describing the country’s 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule as a major achievement.
According to him, since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigerians have consistently chosen their leaders through the ballot box, witnessed peaceful transfers of power and resolved political disputes through democratic institutions rather than violence.
“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” he said.
Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, as well as his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated during the pro-democracy struggle.
He also honoured several democracy activists, journalists, labour leaders, politicians and civil society figures who suffered imprisonment, exile, persecution and even death in the fight for democratic governance.
The President announced that dozens of pro-democracy activists and military officers who played critical roles during the June 12 movement would receive national honours in recognition of their sacrifices.
Economic Freedom and Prosperity
Tinubu argued that while the June 12 struggle secured political freedom for Nigerians, the current generation must focus on achieving economic freedom.
He defended the economic reforms introduced by his administration since 2023, saying they were necessary to stabilise public finances, restore investor confidence and create opportunities for sustainable growth.
According to him, federation revenues have increased significantly, fiscal transparency has improved and investments have expanded across agriculture, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative sectors.
The President also highlighted improvements in domestic refining capacity, describing them as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.
On electricity, Tinubu pointed to the implementation of the Electricity Act, which empowers states to generate, transmit and distribute power independently, as one of the major reforms aimed at addressing decades-long challenges in the power sector.
He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to close the country’s metering deficit, settle legacy debts in the electricity value chain and expand off-grid and mini-grid power solutions to underserved communities.
‘Democracy Must Be Felt in the Pocket’
Despite the gains recorded, Tinubu admitted that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship.
He assured citizens that his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, increasing food production, creating jobs and improving living standards.
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“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community and every region,” he said.
The President stressed that democracy should not merely exist in political institutions but should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“We believe that democracy must be felt in the pocket,” he declared.
As the nation marked another Democracy Day, Tinubu called on Nigerians to reject division, despair and cynicism, while embracing unity, hope and collective responsibility.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to building a nation where justice is upheld, liberty is protected and opportunities are available to all citizens.
“Let us renew our covenant that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.”
