‎Democracy Day: Tinubu Vows No Mercy for Terrorists, Reaffirms Commitment to National Security ‎

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across the country, declaring that terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors must either surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state.
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‎In his Democracy Day address, President Tinubu expressed concern over the recent abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as tragic developments that have dampened the national mood. Despite the challenges, he said the government remains optimistic about the safe return of the victims.
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‎“Democracy without security is not solid enough,” the President stated, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority of his administration.
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‎Tinubu highlighted several measures taken to strengthen national security, including the declaration of a security emergency and the approval of the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel.
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‎He disclosed that the 2026 national budget allocates N5.41 trillion to defence and security—the largest security expenditure in the country’s history—underscoring the government’s determination to confront emerging threats.
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‎The President also pointed to successes recorded by security forces in the fight against terrorism. According to him, Nigerian troops have transitioned from joint training exercises with allies such as the United States, France, and other European nations to conducting precision military operations.
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‎He cited the recent operation in Arege, Borno State, where security forces reportedly dismantled a key command centre of the terrorist group ISWAP.
‎Tinubu further noted that terror-related deaths in Nigeria have declined by 81 percent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised within the past year.
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‎At the same time, he said the government continues to encourage insurgents willing to renounce violence through the Operation Safe Corridor programme. According to the President, over 124,000 former fighters and their dependents have surrendered since 2023.
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‎Issuing a stern warning to criminal elements, Tinubu declared that the government’s offer of rehabilitation would not remain open indefinitely.
‎“To bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he said.
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‎The President also urged Nigerians to remain united in the face of security challenges, warning against ethnic profiling and blame.
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‎“Crime has no ethnicity,”  calling on citizens to work together in support of efforts to restore peace and stability across the country,”Tinubu said
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