President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to terrorists, bandits, oil thieves, and other criminals terrorizing parts of the country, vowing that intensified military operations will continue if they do not abandon their nefarious activities.
This declaration was made at the maiden edition of the Annual International Lecture organized by the News Agency of Nigeria, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Delivering his message through National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the president stated: “For 15 years we’ve been going through hell in this country. Bad people were doing what they liked. Enough is enough. It has to stop. It will stop.”
He further pointed out that Nigerian armed forces have made commendable progress in the last year, eliminating over 300 Boko Haram commanders and reducing incidents of kidnapping for ransom.
“This is a warning to them. They have limited time. Examples have been set. They have seen what is happening to their own leaders. If they refuse to surrender, the same fate awaits them,” Tinubu said.
The president emphasized that while military action would remain a key strategy, non-kinetic approaches are also vital. “Our windows are open, our doors are open if you are ready to come and surrender and stop, otherwise you know what is going to happen to you,” he added.
Abdulsalami: Poverty and Weak Institutions Fueling Insecurity
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Retd.), chaired the event and addressed the structural issues contributing to insecurity across the Sahel region.
He cited poverty, unemployment, and weak governance as the primary drivers of insecurity. “At the heart of the insecurity in this region… are the undercurrents of poverty, unemployment, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, weak governance, and institutional failures,” he said.
Abdulsalami urged all Nigerians to take collective responsibility for addressing the nation’s security challenges, stating, “We owe ourselves, our children, and future generations the duty to create a safer and more prosperous nation.”
Military Success and the Role of Traditional Leaders
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State commended the Nigerian armed forces, noting that insecurity in his state has reduced by 60-70% due to their efforts. He called for further collaboration between citizens and the military to sustain these gains.
Similarly, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, highlighted the ongoing threat of insurgency in the North East and across the Sahel, pointing to factors like the 2011 collapse of the Libyan state as catalysts for the rise of militant groups.
The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, also spoke, emphasizing the importance of the traditional institution in Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The traditional leaders still have a role to play in protecting their communities and the nation,” he said, noting that the structure of the traditional institution, which predates colonial times, provides a unique framework for tackling insecurity at the community level.
Terrorist Leader Bello Turji Calls for Dialogue
Meanwhile, notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji, who remains one of the 43 terrorists wanted by the Defence Headquarters, issued a challenge to security forces, stating that he is not afraid to die.
In a video, Turji confirmed the killing of his former boss, Halilu Sububu, and called for dialogue with the government to resolve the ongoing conflict in Zamfara State.
Turji expressed willingness to lay down arms if the federal government agreed to negotiations.
