Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated that his administration will not allow any section of the country to fall under the control of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, or other violent criminal groups, reaffirming the government’s resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and restore lasting security.
His statement comes amid continued security concerns across different regions of the country, where incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence have persisted in several states, particularly in the North-West, North-East, and parts of the North-Central zone.
Addressing the nation during the 2026 Democracy Day events, President Tinubu issued a strong warning to criminal groups, insisting that they must lay down their arms or face decisive military and security action from the Nigerian state.
He stressed that Nigeria would not tolerate any attempt by armed groups to occupy, control, or administer any part of its territory, describing such actions as unacceptable threats to national unity and sovereignty.
The President further emphasized that securing the release of citizens held hostage by criminal gangs remains a key priority of his administration. He noted that security agencies are being strengthened with additional resources, manpower, and operational support to intensify nationwide counter-insurgency and anti-kidnapping efforts.
Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, widespread bandit attacks and abductions in the North-West, inter-communal clashes in the central region, and illegal economic activities linked to oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to remain united in the fight against insecurity, urging citizens to avoid ethnic or religious interpretations of criminal acts, and instead support collective national efforts to restore peace and stability.
In recent months, the federal government has rolled out several security initiatives, including recruitment into the police and armed forces, deployment of additional security personnel to high-risk areas, and ongoing discussions on strengthening local security frameworks and intelligence coordination.
