President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday declared that his administration will show no mercy to individuals or groups involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes, as the Federal Government moves to usher in a new era of criminal justice.
The President made the declaration while presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Tinubu stressed that national security remains the foundation of development, noting that the 2026 Budget prioritises enhanced support for the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-driven policing, joint security operations, strengthened border control, technology-enabled surveillance, as well as community-based peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
He said security investments in 2026 would be tied to clear accountability and measurable outcomes, insisting that public spending on security must deliver concrete results.
“To secure our country, our priority will remain on increasing the fighting capability of our armed forces and other security agencies, and boosting their effectiveness with cutting-edge equipment and modern hardware,” the President said.
Tinubu announced that his administration is resetting Nigeria’s national security architecture and introducing a new national counter-terrorism doctrine anchored on unified command, intelligence gathering, community stability and counter-insurgency operations.
According to him, the new doctrine will fundamentally change how the country confronts terrorism and violent crimes.
Under the revised security framework, the President said any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actor operating outside state authority will be designated as terrorists.
“Bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest-based armed groups and foreign-linked mercenaries will all be targeted,” Tinubu said, adding that the government will also pursue those who finance, sponsor or facilitate violent crimes for political or sectarian purposes.
He reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to restore peace, protect lives and property, and create a secure environment necessary for economic growth and national development.
