Tinubu warns bandits to surrender, cites security gains, N5.4tr budget
President Bola Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on June 12, 2026 marking 27 years of unbroken democracy, warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. He said terror-related deaths have fallen by 81% since 2015 and over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year. To bolster security, Tinubu announced a security emergency, approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military troops, and disclosed that the 2026 budget allocates N5.41 trillion—the largest ever—for defence and security. He also noted that Operation Safe Corridor has facilitated the surrender of over 124,000 fighters and their dependents since 2023. Looking ahead, Tinubu urged INEC, security agencies and political parties to ensure the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State elections are peaceful and credible, stressing that democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. The president further announced that a list of national awards for democracy activists will be released in the coming days.
With over N5.4 trillion earmarked for security and tens of thousands of new recruits being deployed, how do you expect these measures to affect safety in your community?