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President Bola Tinubu has vowed to tackle insecurity and ensure the release of all persons held captive by terrorists across the country. He also promised that Nigeria will not bow to terrorists or bandits. The President’s position was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the national interdenominational church service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration. The President pointed out that the safety of Nigerians is the government’s top priority, stressing that recent attacks and abductions underscore the need for sustained and strengthened operations by security agencies.
“The safety of Nigerians remains a top priority of the Federal Government. The recent attacks and abductions are painful reminders that more work remains to be done. The safe return of all persons in captivity remains a national priority. Security agencies and relevant institutions are being supported with the necessary resources to protect lives, secure communities and preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity,” he said.
The President also reiterated the tough stance in his June 12 Democracy Day address, where he warned terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state, adding that no mercy would be shown to those responsible for the killing and abduction of Nigerians.
The declarations by the President are in order, coming on the heels of series of successful operations by security agencies across the country that led to the rescue of 372 abducted Nigerians in Borno, Plateau, Kaduna and Sokoto states. In the operations, 360 abducted persons were freed from a Boko Haram enclave in Borno, 10 kidnap victims rescued in Plateau and Kaduna states, while two abducted farmers were freed by troops in Sokoto. The feat was attained two days after the sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and her twin children were rescued by the police in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Earlier, no fewer than 50 elders sent to reconcile with bandits were kidnapped during a peace meeting in Zamfara State. The elders, who are from Magamin Diddi village in the Magami/Faru Ward of Maradun Local Government Area of the state, were delegated to meet with the bandits in the forest for dialogue but the bandits abducted them during the meeting. The bandits later released 11, while 39 are still in captivity.
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In Katsina State, the former Defence Spokesman, Maj-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife, reportedly died in captivity and the wife released after his death. The 45 students and teachers abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, are yet to be rescued. The hapless kids would have spent over four weeks in the forest and subjected to different forms of abuse and molestations.
At the time the Oyo schoolchildren were abducted, Boko Haram terrorists also attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, in Borno State, and abducted 42 students. Their fate remains unknown. On Wednesday, June 2, gunmen abducted seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.
The frequency of the abductions is becoming disturbing. The incidences of insecurity are also getting closer and the pattern, worrisome. Something needs to be done before the entire country gets encircled by terrorists and bandits. The situation at hand calls for extra security measures. There is need for a change in strategies in confronting the criminals. This is the time to try state police as a way of tackling the intractable insecurity. It is good that the presidency and national assembly are working in concert to establish state police. The relevant legislative and constitutional requirements to make the project work should be put in place.
We commend the troops for rescuing the hostages in Borno, Plateau, Kaduna and Sokoto states. Government should extend similar measures in freeing the 39 abducted elders in Zamfara, the schoolchildren in Oyo, Borno and other Nigerians in captivity. Beyond the commendable declaration of not succumbing to the terrorists, government should respond with more concrete actions. The terrorists are unyielding and ferocious. They should be halted. The government must ruthlessly and decisively deal with the terrorists and bandits. The matter should no longer be handled with kid gloves.
