President Bola Tinubu on Friday said Nigeria had recorded significant gains in the fight against terrorism and banditry, while warning criminal groups to surrender or face intensified military action.
Speaking during his 2026 Democracy Day address, the President said his administration had prioritised security through increased funding, recruitment of security personnel and enhanced military operations.
Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government allocated N5.41tn to defence and security in the 2026 budget, describing it as the largest security allocation in the country’s history.
He added that more than 50,000 police officers had been approved for recruitment, alongside thousands of military personnel, as part of efforts to strengthen security across the country.
The President said Nigerian security forces had transitioned from conventional training programmes with international partners to precision-targeting operations against terrorist organisations.
He revealed that troops recently degraded an Islamic State West Africa Province command centre in Arege, Borno State.
According to Tinubu, terror-related deaths have declined by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised within the past year.
He also said more than 124,000 former fighters and their dependents had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Despite the gains, the President expressed concern over the recent abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as painful reminders of the work that still needed to be done.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing the country and protecting citizens from violent criminal groups.
Tinubu warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism that the government’s offer of rehabilitation would not remain open indefinitely.
“Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” he declared.
The President also urged Nigerians to remain united in confronting insecurity, stressing that criminality should not be viewed through ethnic or regional lenses.
According to him, the nation would ultimately prevail against terrorism and other security threats.
