President Bola Tinubu has issued a marching order to the military to confront Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, separatists, and other criminal gangs threatening the peace and sovereignty of the nation, stating that the time to crush the criminals is now.
President Tinubu, who gave the charge at the grand finale of the 2025 Nigerian Army Day celebration held in Kaduna State, reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of officers and soldiers of the armed forces.
He also promised to continue to invest in modern equipment, intelligence, and human capital that would improve the effectiveness of the military.
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Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu reminded the officers and men to discharge their duties with a high sense of professionalism, courage, discipline, and honour, guided by the nation’s constitution and international best practices.
“The Nigerian Army has never been just a force of arms. It has been a symbol of unity and duty. It brought the Nigerian Civil War to a close. With those immortal words uttered by retired General Yakubu Gowon, right now seated in this venue. No victor, no vanquished, reminding us that we are one people with one destiny, and beyond our borders, our men and women have carried our flag high on peacekeeping missions across the continent and around the globe,” Shettima stated.
Speaking further, he said, “They have fought not for conquest, but for peace. They have stood not for power, but for principle. Today, we honour the enduring sacrifice of these men and women. We honour those who have paid the supreme price. And we honour those who continue to wear the uniform, who stand at the gates of our democracy, shielding us from those who would tear it down.
“I find it fitting and visionary that the theme for this year’s celebration is peace. It reflects not just strategy but humanity. You cannot build a great army without building strong soldiers, their welfare, morale, equipment, and sense of purpose are not afterthoughts. They are the bedrock of national security.
“I commend your commitment. I assure you that this administration stands firmly with you on that path. We are not unaware of the challenges that confront our nation. Terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and separatist agitations have threatened our peace.
“These are not mere security threats; they are existential ones. And let it be said plainly, these evils do not discriminate by tribe or people. They destroy churches and mosques alike. They abduct children without asking why they worship. Therefore, our response must be united, firm, and uncompromising.”
Havoc
Bandits have wreaked havoc for years in the North West, operating in broad swathes of relatively ungoverned countryside. Unlike their jihadist counterparts in the North East of the country, their motivations are primarily economic.
Killings also occur in the Middle Belt, with the attacks often taking on a religious or ethnic dimension.
Benue State, which lies in the central region, suffered the heaviest death toll of 6,896, followed by Plateau State, where 2,630 people were killed, according to a report released by human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, to coincide with Tinubu’s first two years in office.
When Tinubu came to power two years ago, he vowed that dealing with insecurity was one of the main challenges for his government.
“Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,” said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Upsurge Attacks
Northern states that jihadists and other criminal groups have targeted for several years have seen an upsurge in attacks in recent months.
Sanusi said the “recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu’s government are simply not working”.
In his second anniversary speech, Tinubu said Nigerian troops had “restored order, reducing and eliminating threats to lives and livelihoods” in violence-wracked regions.
“With the successes achieved, farmers are back tilling the land to feed us. Highways hitherto dangerous for travellers have become safer,” he added.
His government is also facing simmering separatist tensions in the southeast.
