President Bola Tinubu has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism, declaring that those who continue to threaten Nigeria’s peace and security will face the full force of the law.
In a nationwide Democracy Day broadcast message on Friday aimed at criminal elements across the country, the President said the window for surrender and repentance would not remain open indefinitely.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” Tinubu said.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
His comments come amid recurring debates over the identity of criminal groups and concerns that insecurity could deepen ethnic divisions in the country.
However, even as he vowed decisive action against perpetrators of violence, Tinubu cautioned Nigerians against politicising insecurity or attaching criminality to any ethnic group.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity,” the President said.
Rather than succumb to mutual suspicion, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite against a common enemy.
“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he declared.
The President expressed confidence that Nigeria would ultimately overcome its security challenges and emerge stronger.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he said.
Even as he vowed decisive action against criminal elements, the president cautioned Nigerians against ethnic profiling and divisive narratives.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity,” he said.
He urged citizens to remain united in confronting a common threat, insisting that terrorism and banditry would eventually be defeated.
“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” the President declared.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”
Tinubu also framed the country’s current moment as a defining chapter in Nigeria’s national journey, calling on citizens to rise to the responsibilities of their time.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence,the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.
In a rallying call for national renewal, the President urged Nigerians to reject pessimism and embrace a shared vision of progress.
“Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence,” Tinubu said.
“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.”
