President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a hard-line stance against terrorism and violent crime in Nigeria, pledging that his administration will show no mercy to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and those who support them. The firm declaration was made during the presentation of the N58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
Tinubu said the proposed budget reflects a renewed focus on national security, with defence and security receiving the largest allocation. The president described this fiscal emphasis as essential to laying a strong foundation for national development and lasting peace.
As part of a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework, the government is resetting the national security architecture and introducing a new counter-terrorism doctrine. This strategy will place greater emphasis on unified command, intelligence-driven operations, community stability, and counter-insurgency efforts.
Under the new doctrine, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actor operating outside the authority of the state will be designated as a terrorist organization. This includes bandits, militias, armed gangs, violent cults, forest-based armed groups, and foreign-linked criminal networks. Tinubu warned that both perpetrators and their financiers or facilitators will be targeted under this regime.
The president also promised that the government will pursue individuals and networks that finance, protect, or assist those who commit violence for political, sectarian, or criminal reasons. He said the new approach aims to fundamentally reshape how Nigeria confronts terrorism and violent crime, with firm action and accountability at its core.
