“Surrender or die”, President Tinubu warns terrorists
By Omolade Adegbuyi
Terrorists causing havoc in Nigeria should surrended or face death, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warned on Friday.
Directing his message of hope to Nigerians on June 12 Day, the President re-affirmed the commitment of the country to the defence of democracy.
June 12 every year is marked in Nigeria as Democracy Day following the annulment of one of Nigeria’s most transparent election that produced late Chief M.K.O Abiola.
In his speech, Tinubu has asked terrorists, kidnappers and sponsors of violence to hands up or face death.
The President said “no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians”.
The President spoke in a Nation-wide broadcast to mark the 2026 Democracy Day.
He said the window of surrender is not a blanket cheque.
He expressed confidence that children and tutors kidnapped in Oyo and Borno states return safely.
He justified the Federal Government’s declaration of emergency on security.
He said it was the reason the Federal Government approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.
Tinubu said “Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.”
Speaking further Tinubu said “We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting.
“In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015.
Tinubu said over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
He called on Nigerians to unite and present a common platform against insurgency.
He said “To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice,” he said.
“To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.”
According to Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, [NBS],ransom collectes between April 2024 and May 2025 stood at N2.23trillion indicating how terrorism eat up th fabric of the country’s future
