Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to armed groups across the country, declaring that militants must “surrender or face the full force of the state” as Nigeria marked 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule on Democracy Day.

In his national address, Tinubu identified insecurity as one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, pointing to persistent kidnappings, insurgent violence, and attacks on communities in the country’s northern and central regions. Recent school abductions, he said, underscore the urgent need for stronger security measures.

The Nigerian government has announced a major security expansion, including the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers, new military enlistments, and a record allocation of 5.41 trillion naira (approximately $4 billion) for defence and security operations.

Tinubu said security forces had eliminated more than 13,000 militants over the past year and claimed civilian deaths linked to insurgent activity have fallen by 81 percent since 2015. He also highlighted the government’s deradicalization and rehabilitation efforts, noting that more than 124,000 former fighters have surrendered through the program.

Despite these gains, security analysts warn that attacks continue to spread into new areas, raising concerns about the long-term effectiveness of current strategies. Public frustration has also intensified amid rising food prices, transport costs, and broader economic pressures, prompting demonstrations in several parts of the country.

The president defended key economic reforms introduced since taking office, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the naira exchange rate. He argued that the measures, while difficult, are necessary to stabilize Africa’s largest economy and attract long-term investment.

Tinubu also used the occasion to honor Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, paying tribute to late democracy icons, including MKO Abiola, whose struggle remains central to the country’s democratic history.