Tinubu to bandits, kidnappers: Surrender now or face full force of the state

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism, urging them to lay down their arms or face intensified military action from the Nigerian government.

In his 2026 Democracy Day address, the president said the government would not keep opportunities for surrender open indefinitely, warning that those who continue to profit from violence and bloodshed would be dealt with decisively.

Tinubu said while his administration remains committed to rehabilitation programmes for repentant fighters, there would be no mercy for individuals who refuse to abandon criminal activities.

The president highlighted recent gains recorded by security agencies, noting that Nigeria has shifted from joint training exercises with international partners to more precise and targeted operations against terrorist groups.

READ ALSO: ‘Is your life now better under President Tinubu?’ El-Rufai asks, says Kaduna govt pays bandits

He cited the operation in Arege, Borno State, where security forces reportedly disrupted an ISWAP command centre, as part of ongoing efforts to weaken insurgent networks across the country.

According to Tinubu, terror-related deaths have fallen by 81 percent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.

He also pointed to the success of Operation Safe Corridor, revealing that over 124,000 former fighters and their dependants have surrendered since 2023 and embraced the government’s reintegration programme.

Despite the security challenges facing the country, including the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, the president expressed optimism that the victims would be rescued safely.

Tinubu said democracy cannot flourish without security, adding that his administration has prioritised the sector through the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.

He further noted that the 2026 budget earmarked N5.41 trillion for defence and security, the highest allocation ever made to the sector.

The president also urged Nigerians to remain united in the fight against insecurity, calling on Nigerians to avoid attributing criminal activities to ethnic groups. He stressed that insecurity should be confronted as a national challenge rather than through the lens of ethnicity.