ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face full military force, as he reaffirmed government’s security response amid rising insecurity across parts of the country.
The President gave the warning in his 2026 Democracy Day address, where he said the administration had declared a security emergency and was expanding recruitment into the armed forces and police.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” he said.
Tinubu said over 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel are being recruited to strengthen internal security operations.
The President also disclosed that the 2026 budget allocates N5.41 trillion to defence and security, adding that recent insecurity incidents, including abductions in Oyo and Borno States, were being addressed under ongoing security operations.
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The President said security agencies have recorded progress in the fight against insurgency, including what he described as the degradation of terrorist command structures and the surrender of more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents under Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
He noted that terrorism-related deaths had reduced significantly compared to previous years.
Tinubu also said the government would continue to maintain open surrender windows for repentant fighters, but warned that such opportunities would not remain indefinitely.
On national unity, he urged Nigerians not to allow insecurity to divide the country, saying crime has no ethnic or religious identity.
He reaffirmed government commitment to strengthening security architecture while calling for continued support from citizens and stakeholders.