Friday, October 4 2024 -President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups, urging them to surrender or face decisive action from the Nigerian government.
Speaking during a lecture
organised by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the President declared,
"Enough is enough. This has to stop. And it will stop. This is a warning
to them. They have limited time."
The President, who was represented by
National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, stressed that Nigeria would
no longer tolerate insecurity, and the government is prepared to take all
necessary actions to restore peace.
The lecture, themed “Insecurity in
the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s challenges – genesis, impacts, and
options,” provided a platform to address the various security challenges facing
the region.
President Tinubu reiterated that
while non-kinetic approaches remain relevant, criminal groups must act now.
“Our windows are open, our doors are open if they are ready to come and
surrender and stop, otherwise they know what is going to happen to them,” he
said. The President also emphasised that the government has established
institutions to promote accountability and tackle the root causes of insecurity
through job creation, infrastructure development, and social services.
He added, “We have developed both
kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in considerably eliminating the threats of
Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and violent extremists.”
In his role as Chair of ECOWAS,
President Tinubu is focused on strengthening regional collaboration, sharing
intelligence, and coordinating security efforts with neighbouring countries to
combat the shared security challenges in the Sahel.
Expressing optimism about recent
security successes, he praised the Nigerian armed forces for renewing their
offensive against criminal elements in the Northeast and Northwest. "Our
citizens can now heave a sigh of relief. We shall continue to provide our armed
forces with the needed human and material resources to achieve success,"
he said.
President Tinubu concluded by
highlighting the progress made in the last year, noting the elimination of over
300 Boko Haram commanders and a decline in cases of kidnapping for ransom. He
warned that criminal leaders have been set as examples, stating, "If they
refuse to surrender, the same fate awaits them."
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