President Bola Tinubu has called on bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and their sponsors to surrender or face the wrath of the Nigerian state.
The President who made the call in a broadcast to the nation on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, vowed that his government will not show mercy to terror purveyors who carry out the killing and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians.
“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 said.
According to him, although terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015, this year’s Democracy Day celebration was subdued by the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states.
“Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage.
“That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he declared.
