President Bola Tinubu issues a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers and people described as “sponsors of terrorism” during a nationwide televised message marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day. In the broadcast, he urges those involved in insecurity to surrender, while warning that the government’s “window of surrender” will not remain open indefinitely. Multiple outlets report that Tinubu frames the warning as part of the state’s response to ongoing security challenges and says there is no mercy for those who “trade in the blood” of Nigerians.
The reports also note that Tinubu references recent incidents involving the abduction of children and tutors in Oyo and Borno states, saying the country remains hopeful that those abducted will return safely. He links the warning to recent and ongoing security measures, including a declared security emergency and government plans for additional personnel, with one outlet citing the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.
Tinubu also cites security progress claims, including a reduction in terror-related deaths since 2015, the degradation of an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State, and the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists in the past year. He further mentions Operation Safe Corridor and says many fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023.
