President Bola Tinubu has pledged to show no tolerance to terrorists facilitating the murder and abduction of innocent Nigerians.
Additionally, he said his administration had already neutralised over 13,000 terrorists in the past year and issued an ultimatum to bandits, kidnappers, and supporters of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state.
Meanwhile, Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the statement in his nationwide address marking the country’s 27th consecutive Democracy Day celebration—his fourth as President since 2023.
He also stated that despite an 81% decrease in terror-related deaths since 2015, the ongoing captivity of pupils kidnapped in the states of Oyo and Borno dampened Friday’s Democracy Day celebration.
He declared, “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.”
Speaking further, Mr. president said his administration had moved beyond training with allies to precision operations on the ground.
“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.
Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015.
“Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,”
Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged that although Nigeria is marking 27 years of uninterrupted democracy, the ongoing hostage situation involving schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo and Borno States has dampened this year’s Democracy Day celebrations. The crisis, which has now entered its fourth week, continues to overshadow the national mood.
