JUNE 12: Nigerian President Tinubu Orders Terrorists, Bandits To Surrender Or Face Death

By Onoja Baba

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday issued a stern warning to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and their sponsors, directing them to surrender immediately or face what he described as the full force of the Nigerian State.

The President delivered the warning during his nationwide broadcast marking the 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria and the celebration of Democracy Day on June 12.

Addressing the nation from Abuja on Friday, Tinubu said his administration would not relent in its efforts to restore peace and security across the country, stressing that the government’s window for surrender would not remain open indefinitely.

“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,” the President declared.

Tinubu described security as the foundation of democracy and national development, noting that his administration had already declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers as well as thousands of military personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

According to him, the Federal Government has allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, describing it as the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.

Highlighting gains recorded by security agencies, the President said military operations had significantly weakened terrorist groups operating in parts of the country. He disclosed that security forces recently destroyed a major command centre belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Arege, Borno State, following enhanced collaboration with international partners, including the United States, France, and other European countries.

“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre,” he said.

The President further revealed that terror-related deaths in Nigeria had reduced by 81 per cent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised within the past year.

He added that the government’s deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme, Operation Safe Corridor, had recorded significant success, with over 124,000 former fighters and their dependants laying down their arms since 2023.

Despite the reported progress, Tinubu acknowledged the pain caused by recent kidnappings, particularly the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States, expressing hope that the victims would soon regain their freedom.

“The mood of this year’s celebration is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, but we remain hopeful for their safe return,” he said.

The President also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces, the Police, and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices in defending the country against criminal elements.

Turning to the nation’s democratic journey, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain committed to democratic values, noting that the country had sustained civilian rule since May 29, 1999.

“For 27 years, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers, not through violence,” he stated.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and security agencies to ensure peaceful, free, and credible governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, warning that public confidence in democracy depends on the integrity of the electoral process.

The President also used the occasion to encourage young Nigerians not to lose faith in the country.

“Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship,” he said.

In recognition of individuals who played significant roles in the struggle for democracy, Tinubu announced plans to confer national honours on several pro-democracy activists, journalists, traditional rulers, military officers, and civil society leaders who endured persecution, detention, exile, and other hardships during Nigeria’s fight against military rule.

Among those listed for the honours are the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Olatunji Bello; columnist and political analyst Louis Odion; Ayo Opadokun; Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Richard Akinnola; Major-General Ishola Williams (retd); Debo Adeniran; Femi Aborisade; and several others.

Tinubu said the full honours list would be officially released in the coming days.

The Democracy Day celebration commemorates the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history and honours the sacrifices of individuals who fought for the restoration of democratic governance in the country.