President Bola Tinubu delivered a tough message on Friday during his national address to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day celebration, warning bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the state. The address, his fourth since assuming office in 2023, acknowledged that this year’s mood was dampened by the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” the President said. He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to secure their release and strengthen Nigeria’s overall security architecture.
Tinubu issued a direct ultimatum to criminal elements and vowed zero tolerance. “To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he declared. He stressed that “Democracy without security is a mirage” and noted that his administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
The President highlighted gains in the fight against terrorism, stating that terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015 and that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year alone. He cited precision operations in Arege, Borno State, where security forces degraded ISWAP’s command centre, and said the administration had moved from training with allies to precision targeting.
Despite the use of force, Tinubu said the door of rehabilitation remained open alongside the door of force. He revealed that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor. He also pointed to the N5.41tn security allocation in the 2026 budget as a statement of national will to crush terrorism.
Calling for national unity, the President urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling and blame games. “At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity,” he said. He paid tribute to security personnel, traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads for supporting peace and reconciliation, adding that “The government cannot do it alone”.
Tinubu also used the occasion to defend democratic values and free speech. “Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he said, urging lawmakers and public officials to welcome criticism as part of democratic governance.
