Tinubu Highlights Security Gains, Warns Terrorists and Bandits to Surrender

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has highlighted what he described as significant progress in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and insecurity, while issuing a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers, and terror sponsors to lay down their arms or face decisive action from the government.

Speaking during his 2026 Democracy Day address, Tinubu said ongoing military operations have weakened terrorist networks, citing the successful degradation of an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State.

“In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre,” the president stated. “Terror-related deaths are down by 81 percent since 2015.”

He added that security forces have intensified efforts against insurgent groups, leading to the neutralisation of more than 13,000 terrorists within the past year.

Despite the military successes, Tinubu said the government continues to provide opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration through Operation Safe Corridor, a programme designed to encourage repentant fighters to abandon violence.

“Over 124,000 fighters and their dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.

The president also emphasized that Nigeria’s security strategy benefits from strong international partnerships, noting that cooperation with foreign allies has enhanced the country’s counterterrorism capabilities.

“We have moved from training with our allies, including the United States, France, and other European countries, to precision targeting,” Tinubu said, highlighting the role of intelligence-sharing and advanced security operations in recent successes.

Addressing the recent abductions of students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, Tinubu acknowledged that the incidents have cast a shadow over this year’s Democracy Day celebrations.

He assured Nigerians that the government is committing greater resources and manpower to improve security nationwide.

“That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers, alongside thousands of military recruits,” he said.

According to the president, the Federal Government has allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, the highest security allocation in the nation’s history.

“Our administration is prepared to do even more to secure our people and protect communities across the country,” he added.

Tinubu reserved some of his strongest remarks for criminal groups operating across the country, warning that the government’s offer of amnesty and surrender would not remain available indefinitely.

“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: surrender now or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” he declared.

“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who profit from the blood of innocent Nigerians.”

The president also called on citizens to remain united in the face of security challenges, stressing that national cohesion is essential to defeating insurgency and criminality.

He urged Nigerians to avoid divisions and stand together in support of efforts to restore peace, expressing confidence that the country would ultimately overcome its security challenges and emerge stronger.