Insecurity keeps us sleepless — Tinubu vows to defeat terrorism, banditry

2026-02-09 - 12:39

President Bola Tinubu has said the worsening insecurity across the country keeps his administration sleepless, pledging renewed efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security and defeat terrorism and banditry. The president spoke on Monday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Renewed Hope Development Plan, acknowledging that insecurity remains a major challenge to national development. “I am leaving here again to further find means to strengthen our security to defeat terrorism. That I promise you,” Tinubu said. “It’s what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you we will win with determination and resilience.” He assured Nigerians that his government would not relent in its efforts to end violent attacks and criminal activities across the country. The President also warned that insecurity poses a serious threat to the nation’s economic aspirations. “We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry. It’s not part of our culture, it’s foreign to us,” the president said. “It is an economic hindrance if we do not find an immediate solution to it,” he added. He, however, commended governors Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Umaru Dikko Radda of Katsina State for their roles in supporting security efforts in their respective states. “I commend many of you, particularly the governor of Borno State, the governor of Katsina, the governor of Kaduna, many of you who have done so much to defend our freedom, liberty and our commonwealth,” Tinubu said. In his speech, Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Development Plan prioritises economic diversification, productivity and human capital development. Tinubu’s promise to deal with terrorists came days after suspected bandits launched deadly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving more than 40 people dead. Vanguard gathered that many families lost their relatives during the attacks, while several houses were reportedly set ablaze by the assailants. Credible sources told Vanguard that the attackers, believed to have come from neighbouring villages in Niger State, stormed the two communities and addressed residents, urging them to abandon the Nigerian Constitution and embrace the Qur’an. Sources further disclosed that the same group had been moving around some border communities in Niger State, delivering similar messages before crossing into Kaiama Local Government Area. According to the sources, disagreement by some residents with the message being preached angered the bandits, who allegedly opened fire on the gathering. Vanguard News