President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups, urging them to surrender or face severe consequences from the Nigerian government. Speaking at a lecture organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, he declared, “Enough is enough. This has to stop. And it will stop. This is a warning to them. They have limited time.”
The President, represented by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized that Nigeria will no longer tolerate insecurity and is prepared to take all necessary actions to restore peace. The lecture, titled “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts, and Options,” served as a platform to discuss ongoing security challenges in the region.
Tinubu highlighted that while non-violent approaches remain important, criminal groups must act quickly to surrender. “Our doors are open if they are ready to stop; otherwise, they know what will happen to them,” he stated. He also underscored the government’s focus on accountability and tackling the root causes of insecurity through job creation, infrastructure development, and social services.
“We have developed both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to significantly reduce the threats posed by Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and violent extremism,” he added.
As Chair of ECOWAS, Tinubu is also prioritizing regional cooperation, sharing intelligence, and strengthening security efforts with neighboring countries to address threats in the Sahel region. He commended the Nigerian armed forces for recent successes, stating, “Our citizens can now breathe a sigh of relief. We will continue to equip our armed forces with the resources necessary to achieve victory.”
He concluded by noting that over 300 Boko Haram commanders have been eliminated and that kidnapping cases have decreased. He warned that criminal leaders refusing to surrender would face the same fate as those who had already been neutralized.