ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu says the security of Nigeria remains “non-negotiable,” reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace across the country.
In a statement released on the presidency’s official X handle on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Tinubu said the federal government had achieved major gains in its counter-insurgency campaign through tighter inter-agency collaboration and renewed intelligence coordination.
“The security of Nigeria is non-negotiable,” Tinubu said.
“Since 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through enhanced inter-agency cooperation, has vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated, or successfully convicted terrorists and insurgents, especially those responsible for some of the most heinous attacks on Nigerian territory.”
According to the statement, more than 124 terrorists and insurgents have been convicted since 2024, while others — including members of the Ansaru leadership and suspects linked to the Owo church bombing in 2022 and the Yelwata reprisal killings in Benue — are currently facing trial.
The president noted that Nigeria has strengthened joint military operations and improved coordination among security agencies, resulting in record reductions in terror-related incidents.
“Joint security task forces, enhanced border patrols with local and regional partners, compensation for victims, permanent joint patrols, and intelligence collaboration with international partners are among the remedial actions taken to protect lives and the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The presidency reported that as of 2025, Nigeria has witnessed an 81 percent drop in terror-related deaths compared with 2015.
Tinubu credited the improvement to better synergy between security forces and communities affected by insurgency.
More than 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year, while over 124,000 fighters and dependents have surrendered to authorities.
The statement also revealed that 2.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned home as stability gradually returns to previously conflict-affected areas.
To sustain recovery, the federal government has established a Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict, designed to rebuild destroyed communities and support the reintegration of displaced persons.
Tinubu’s remarks come amid escalating diplomatic tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Nigeria permits the “killing of Christians.”
Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and instructed the U.S. Department of Defence to prepare “for possible action” if the Nigerian government fails to stop what he described as “Islamic terrorists killing Christians.”
The Nigerian government has repeatedly dismissed the claims, insisting that there is no state-sanctioned religious persecution and that insecurity affects citizens across all faiths.
“The task ahead is to move forward with clarity of purpose guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the president said.
“We will continue to defend our sovereignty, strengthen our security architecture, and ensure lasting peace for every Nigerian.”
