Enough Is Enough, Says Tinubu As He Orders Army To Tackle Insecurity Head-On
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Armed Forces to decisively confront and neutralize Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, separatists, and other criminal groups threatening the peace, unity, and sovereignty of the country.
The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gave the directive during the grand finale of the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration held in Kaduna State.
He declared that the time to crush these criminal elements was now, affirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security and ensuring the protection of all Nigerians.
“These are not mere security threats; they are existential ones,” Tinubu said. “They destroy churches and mosques alike. They abduct children without asking where they worship. Therefore, our response must be united, firm, and uncompromising.”
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military personnel, promising continued investments in modern equipment, intelligence gathering, and human capital development to improve the capacity and professionalism of the armed forces.
“You cannot build a great army without building strong soldiers. Their welfare, morale, equipment, and sense of purpose are not afterthoughts. They are the bedrock of national security,” he added.
In an emotional tribute, Vice President Shettima praised the sacrifices of Nigeria’s soldiers, past and present.
“The Nigerian Army is more than a force of arms. It is a symbol of unity and duty. It ended the Civil War with the immortal words of General Yakubu Gowon — ‘No victor, no vanquished’ — reminding us that we are one people with one destiny.”
He commended the armed forces for their role in peacekeeping across the continent and urged continued professionalism, courage, and discipline in their service to the nation.
President Tinubu, who marked two years in office last month, had promised at inauguration to prioritize national security. However, multiple reports and recent attacks suggest that Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening violence.
A new report by Amnesty International Nigeria paints a grim picture of the state of security. According to the report, Benue State recorded the highest death toll with 6,896 fatalities, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 deaths.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, criticized the government’s security strategy.
“Instead of improvements, things have worsened. Authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, and security of tens of thousands across the country,” Sanusi said.
He also cited a sharp increase in attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups in recent months, particularly in the North East and North West.
While Boko Haram operates primarily in the North East with ideological motivations, banditry in the North West is largely driven by ransom demands and economic gain. Vast, ungoverned rural areas have enabled these groups to flourish.
The Middle Belt has seen frequent ethnoreligious violence, while separatist tensions continue to simmer in the South East.
Despite these challenges, the President insisted that progress had been made. In his second anniversary speech, Tinubu said the military had “restored order” in many parts of the country, allowing farmers to return to their fields and highways to become safer for travel.
With the President’s latest directive and public reassurance, expectations are high that the armed forces will take firmer action in the coming months. For many Nigerians, however, the ultimate test remains whether these promises will translate into real security on the ground.
