President Bola Tinubu on Sunday renewed his pledge to confront Nigeria’s security crises head-on, declaring that his administration “will not relent” until every citizen can live without fear. His remarks, shared on his official X account, underscored both the urgency of recent attacks and the political weight he has placed on restoring public safety.
“Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” the president wrote, framing his message as both a promise and a personal charge.
Tinubu revealed he had cancelled his planned attendance at the G20 summit in Johannesburg last weekend, opting instead to remain in Abuja as violence flared across several states. The decision marked a rare withdrawal from a major diplomatic forum, underscoring how domestic security has come to dominate his administration’s agenda. Vice President Kashim Shettima attended in his stead.
The president has faced mounting pressure following two high-profile kidnappings: the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State last Monday and the kidnapping of dozens of worshippers from Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. Over the weekend, Tinubu announced a breakthrough — the release of all 38 churchgoers and the recovery of 51 children out of the more than 300 abducted at a Catholic school in Niger State.
He praised the security forces for what he called “swift rescue operations,” adding that he is receiving continuous updates from the field. But he acknowledged that the work is far from over. “I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide,” he said, hinting at further directives to security agencies in the days ahead.
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Tinubu has already ordered intensified search-and-rescue missions and stronger preventive deployments across vulnerable communities. Last Thursday, he directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate rescue operations for the missing schoolgirls — an unusual move that signaled his impatience with bureaucratic distance during crises.
As kidnappings, banditry and communal violence continue to roil parts of the country, the president’s words carry both reassurance and risk. His promise to protect Nigerians sets a clear public benchmark — one that many citizens will measure him against in the months ahead.
