Crime has no ethnicity, President Bola Tinubu declared in his Democracy Day address as he called on Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling and remain united in the fight against insecurity. The President said national cohesion remains essential to defeating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities threatening communities across the country.
Speaking on the state of national security, Tinubu emphasized that criminality should never be associated with any ethnic group. He warned that assigning blame based on identity could undermine efforts to build a united response against security threats.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity,” he said.
The President used the occasion to outline developments in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy. According to him, military operations have evolved significantly in recent years, moving beyond conventional joint exercises with international partners to more sophisticated intelligence-driven and precision-based missions.
Tinubu noted that security cooperation with countries including the United States, France, and other European partners has contributed to improved operational capabilities. These collaborations, he said, have strengthened the ability of Nigerian security agencies to target and dismantle terrorist networks.
Highlighting recent achievements, the President disclosed that security forces successfully degraded the command structure of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Arege, Borno State. The operation formed part of ongoing efforts to weaken terrorist organisations operating in the North-East.
According to Tinubu, the results of recent security interventions have been significant. He stated that terror-related deaths across the country have declined by 81 per cent since 2015.
The President also revealed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised during the past year alone. These figures, he said, demonstrate the impact of sustained military operations and improved security coordination.
Beyond battlefield successes, Tinubu highlighted progress recorded through rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. He said more than 124,000 former fighters and their dependants have surrendered since 2023 under Operation Safe Corridor.
The initiative is designed to encourage defections from terrorist groups while supporting rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. However, the President stressed that the opportunity for surrender would not remain open indefinitely.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he said.
The President reiterated that crime has no ethnicity and urged Nigerians to focus on collective solutions rather than divisions. He argued that national unity remains one of the country’s strongest tools in confronting security challenges.
For businesses, communities, and investors, improved security remains critical to economic growth and social stability. Reduced violence can encourage investment, improve mobility, and strengthen confidence across key sectors of the economy.
Tinubu expressed confidence that ongoing military operations, peace-building efforts, and citizen cooperation would ultimately restore lasting peace. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security institutions while pursuing policies aimed at building a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
As security operations continue nationwide, the President maintained that unity and vigilance will remain essential in overcoming the threats posed by terrorism and organised crime.
