Tinubu vows 'no mercy' for kidnappers after 88 school abductions, unveils N5.4tn security push
President Tinubu declared 'no mercy' for terrorists and kidnappers during his Democracy Day address Friday, responding to the abduction of 88 students and teachers from schools in Oyo and Borno states 27 days prior. He warned insurgents and bandits to surrender or face full state force, noting surrender windows won't stay open forever.
Tinubu announced a security emergency declaration triggering recruitment of over 50,000 additional police officers and thousands of military personnel. The 2026 budget allocates a record N5.41 trillion for defence and security—the largest ever—while citing an 81% decline in terror-related deaths since 2015 and over 124,000 fighters surrendering via Operation Safe Corridor since 2023. He highlighted precision operations degrading an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno.
The president urged national unity against insecurity, stating 'Crime has no ethnicity' and calling for collective action to triumph over terror. With captives still held after 27 days, will Nigerians heed the call for unity in supporting security efforts, or will divisions undermine the fight against kidnapping and terrorism?