President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria will not bow to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, or any criminal group seeking to destabilise the country. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating violent actors and securing the release of Nigerians still being held captive across various parts of the country.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held in Abuja to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations, Tinubu said security remains a top priority for his administration. He described recent attacks, kidnappings, and displacement of communities as painful reminders that more work is needed to restore peace nationwide.
The President assured Nigerians that security agencies were being strengthened and provided with the resources needed to protect lives, secure communities, and defend the country’s territorial integrity. According to him, the government remains determined to ensure that all citizens currently in captivity regain their freedom.
Tinubu also acknowledged the economic challenges facing many Nigerians and promised that his administration would intensify efforts to ease hardship through policies aimed at delivering sustainable democratic dividends. He noted that despite the difficulties, the government remains committed to reducing poverty and improving living conditions.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections, the President urged Nigerians to reject political violence, hate speech, and divisive rhetoric. He warned that democracy must never be turned into a battleground and called on politicians and supporters alike to embrace peaceful engagement.
He specifically appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used for thuggery, misinformation campaigns, ethnic hostility, or religious intolerance. Tinubu stressed that no political ambition was worth sacrificing the future of the nation’s youth.
The President also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the media to promote tolerance, national unity, and responsible conduct as the country approaches another electoral cycle. He maintained that Nigeria’s democratic institutions remain strong and resilient despite existing challenges.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over rising insecurity and kidnappings across the country. Recalling his own childhood experience during the Nigerian Civil War, he said he understood the pain families endure when loved ones are taken away.
Akpabio urged citizens to support security agencies through vigilance and intelligence sharing, insisting that the fight against crime requires collective national effort. Christian Association of Nigeria Vice President, Rev. Stephen Panya, also called on the government to intensify efforts against kidnapping while urging Nigerians to remain hopeful and united.
