Tinubu vows to defeat terrorism, banditry as violence persists across Nigeria

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Monday pledged to defeat terrorism and banditry in Nigeria, calling the violence "unacceptable" even as armed attacks and kidnappings continue to underscore the country's deepening security crisis.

Speaking at the opening of the Second National Economic Council Conference in Abuja, Tinubu said his administration was intensifying efforts to strengthen security forces and restore stability in communities affected by years of insurgency, criminal violence and mass abductions.

"We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry," the president said. "It is not part of our culture. It is foreign to us."

The remarks came as Nigeria faces renewed scrutiny over persistent insecurity, particularly in the Middle Belt and northwest regions, where armed groups have carried out kidnappings for ransom, attacks on villages and assaults on places of worship.

On Sunday night, gunmen abducted nine worshippers in Benue State, police said. The attack followed a series of mass kidnappings in recent months, including the abduction of over 300 of schoolchildren in Niger state late last year, and that of 177 worshippers in Kaduna state last month. While many victims have since been released, often after weeks in captivity, the attacks have heightened fears among civilians.

Benue lies in Nigeria's Middle Belt, a region troubled by conflicts between farmers and herders over land and resources, compounded by the spread of armed criminal networks. The violence has blurred lines between communal clashes, insurgency and organized crime.

Tinubu acknowledged that insecurity remains a major drag on Nigeria's economy, saying it disrupts agriculture, investment and social stability. He praised governors from conflict-affected states, including Borno, Katsina and Kaduna, for their efforts to confront armed groups.

The president's comments were delivered at a two-day conference attended by state governors, ministers, lawmakers, development partners and private sector leaders, focused on Nigeria’s economic strategy themed "Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026-2030."

Tinubu said economic reforms introduced since he took office had helped stabilize the economy and restore investor confidence, citing monetary policy changes implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He added that state and local governments were receiving more predictable federal allocations, allowing them to pay salaries and expand infrastructure and social services.

Still, security remains a central concern for the administration. President Tinubu said his government would continue to pursue a combination of military action, economic development and coordination with state governments to address the crisis, though he offered few details on specific new security measures.