Surrender now or be killed — Tinubu warns bandits

President Bola Tinubu has warned Boko Haram members, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements fueling insecurity across Nigeria to stop or will be killed by security forces.

“Enough is enough. It has to stop. It will stop,” Tinubu said.

He gave this stern warning through the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, at the inaugural News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) international lecture on Thursday, in Abuja.

Mr Tinubu noted that his government is committed in tackling insecurity, citing the killing of over 300 Boko Haram commanders and a decline in kidnapping cases.

“To those refusing to surrender, the same fate awaits you, just like your leaders,” Tinubu cautioned.

He underscored his administration’s multifaceted approach, prioritizing security, economic development, and social welfare.

He said, “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 await them.

“The non-kinetic approach is still important. 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, whoever you are.”

In combating the security challenges, Tinubu said his administration adopted a multifaceted approach as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda which prioritised security as a critical component of government focus.

“This administration in the last one year had put in place processes, policies and programs to achieve improved security, economic development, improved welfare for all Nigerians.

“In particular, our six key security objectives have included strengthening institutions and promoting accountability to address the root causes of insecurity as well as investing in job creation, infrastructure development, social services to reduce poverty and inequality.

“We have developed both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in considerably eliminating the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and violent extremists,” he said.

“As an administration committed to uplifting the downtrodden from the shackles of poverty, we will continue to invest in job creation, infrastructure development and social services.

“As a chair of our regional bloc ECOWAS, we are strengthening regional collaboration with neighboring countries to share intelligence, coordinate security efforts and address common challenges.

“We are happy with what the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa did, he visited Niger and hopefully things are beginning to look better with our bother and we will even do more. We want peace, we want security. We are not enemies with anybody.

“I am happy that we renewed onslaught by our gallant troops against enemies of our nation in the Northeast and North West. Our citizens can now heave a sigh of relief. We shall continue to provide our armed forces with the needed human and material resources to achieve success. No doubt there is no time other than now for all of us to work together to build a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.”

Mr Tinubu however, assured continued support for the armed forces and called for collective action to build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria.

“We want peace, we want security. We are not enemies with anybody,” he said

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