President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown down the gauntlet to terrorists and bandits, firmly declaring his administration’s “determination to eliminate” all criminal networks operating in Northern Nigeria. The President’s assertion that he “won’t let the North bleed further” comes amidst heightened national concern over recent attacks and abductions across the region, culminating in a high-level security briefing by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The President’s unequivocal stance, delivered at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, is a powerful reaffirmation of his resolve to end the protracted crisis of insecurity and reverse the region’s economic decline.
The DSS Briefing: Urgency at the Villa
On Friday night, the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Tosin Adeola Ajayi, met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa for a crucial security briefing.4 While specifics remain guarded, the meeting focused on the escalating security situation, particularly the recent surge in abductions and attacks across Northern states.
The briefing is understood to be part of the President’s mandate to security agencies to address the crisis with immediate and unyielding action. It underscores a clear signal from the Presidency: the inherited security challenge is being confronted with the “urgency and determination” it demands.
A Call to Action: “I Won’t Let North Bleed Further”
President Tinubu, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, did not mince words during the ACF event, acknowledging the gravity of the challenges facing the North:6
“Nothing troubles me more gravely than the security crisis bedevilling Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria. We cannot prosper when one limb of the national body is paralysed.8 I am determined to eliminate terrorist and bandit groups tormenting the region, and no part of the country will be allowed to bleed while my government stands by.”
He described the crisis as a “corrosion of security, a collapse of communal ethics, and a distortion of the moral compass” that historically held Northern communities together.
Dual Strategy: Security and Economic Revival
The President’s commitment extends beyond military action. His strategy is two-pronged, linking the restoration of security directly to a plan for economic renewal:
- Total War on Criminals: A firm vow to intensify the fight, dismantle all criminal networks, and ensure the rescue of all victims, including abducted schoolchildren.
- Economic Turnaround: A pledge to reverse the long-running economic decline, citing optimism from the anticipated commencement of crude oil production from the Kolmani fields and the acceleration of key infrastructure projects like the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Superhighway.
Unity is the North’s Strongest Asset
President Tinubu called on Northern leaders to embrace unity, accountability, and the restoration of social harmony, insisting that without collective action, security initiatives would falter.
The message from the Presidency is clear: President Bola Tinubu is determined to end northern Nigeria’s insecurity. His administration is mobilising the full force of the state military, intelligence, and economic to restore peace, stability, and prosperity to a region whose stability is essential to the peace and progress of the entire federation.
What are your thoughts on President Tinubu’s commitment and the government’s approach to tackling insecurity in the North?
