By Peter Effiom
For the occasion of 2026 Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu called for terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits nationwide to turn themselves in or face the full might of the Nigerian government.
The President reiterated the administration’s dedication to bringing about peace and protecting people and property.
He revealed that since 2023, Operation Safe Corridor had resulted in the deaths of almost 124,000 combatants and their dependents. Tinubu described the events as regrettable and voiced alarm about recent instances of insecurity, especially the kidnapping of pupils in the states of Oyo and Borno.
Although the kidnapping of our children in Oyo and Borno has dimmed the atmosphere this year, he said Nigerians are nevertheless optimistic about their safe return.
The President emphasizes that genuine democratic administration cannot flourish without sufficient safety for citizens, stating that security is still a fundamental component of democracy.
He said that his administration had declared a security emergency and taken proactive measures to fortify the nation’s security framework since democracy is insufficient without security.
He said that in order to improve security operations around the country, the Federal Government has authorized the hiring of thousands of military soldiers and more than 50,000 more police officers.
The President also disclosed that N5.41 trillion, the greatest security allocation in Nigerian history, was set aside for defence and security in the 2026 national budget. He claims that his administration is constantly prepared to take much more action to protect Nigerians.
Tinubu addressed criminal elements directly and issued a warning that surrender possibilities would not last forever.
He warned that the windows of opportunity for surrender would not last forever and that bandits, kidnappers, and terror supporters would have to give up or face the full might of the Nigerian State. He declared that anyone who deals in Nigerian blood will not be treated with kindness.
He urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and ethnic profiling while calling on them to stay united in the battle against insecurity.
Nigerians should not point fingers or place blame during this critical period. Ethnicity has no bearing on crime, so the people must unify and have faith that the country’s adversaries will soon be history.
Tinubu pledged that the government will keep working toward a safer and wealthier Nigeria, expressing confidence that the country would overcome terrorism and other security issues and continue to develop a more successful nation.
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