Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday night reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism and banditry across the country, assuring community leaders that Nigeria’s security forces are intensifying efforts to restore peace and stability nationwide.
The President made the remarks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, while hosting leaders of the Ogbia community from Bayelsa State, an oil-producing state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria. Okay News reports that the meeting focused on security, development, and long-standing concerns of communities in resource-rich areas.
President Tinubu acknowledged that Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, particularly in the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions, where insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on rural communities remain persistent. However, he stressed that his government has not relented in its response, noting that arrests and disruptions of criminal networks are ongoing.
“We cannot excuse the neglect of the past, but living in the past do us no good except take it and run with it. Now, part of Nigeria is challenged by terrorism and banditry, and the challenges are numerous,” the President said.
“You know, a little accident makes a bigger noise in terrorism or banditry, no matter how long success is being achieved. We are prosecuting them. We are arresting them. We are neutralising some of them who continue to do that,” he added.
He further expressed confidence in the country’s armed forces, saying sustained military operations would yield lasting peace. “Men and women of armed forces are fighting very hard to bring peace and stability to the country, and I can guarantee you we win. That’s all I can promise at this stage,” Tinubu stated.
Beyond security, the President assured the delegation that his administration would continue development initiatives in the Niger Delta, an oil-bearing region that has long complained of neglect despite its contribution to Nigeria’s economy. He praised the performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission, a Federal Government intervention agency, under its Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
Reflecting on past governance, Tinubu admitted that previous administrations did not do enough for the region but said his government is determined to chart a different course. “It’s a joy to listen to the good history of our discovery. Unfortunately, we have not done well in the past to cater for the goose that lays the golden egg, the Niger Delta,” he said.
“But fortunately, recently, God had given us the opportunity. We will continue with that, and we won’t let you down. The focus now is going forward with progress, determination and constructive engagement with the community and the entire nation.”
The President highlighted the impact of projects such as solar-powered street lighting, noting that such interventions have improved economic activity and daily life in communities that once shut down early due to darkness.
Tinubu also commended former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, an indigene of Ogbia and a former Head of State of Africa’s most populous country, describing him as a good leader and citizen deserving of continued respect.
Responding to requests from the delegation, Tinubu promised that his administration would address ecological challenges such as erosion and examine infrastructure proposals, including a bridge he described as critical to economic growth and regional development.
“What can I promise you? You mentioned the erosion. We will look into that. We will take it. You didn’t ask for too much on the bridge; that is an infrastructure that elicits the economy and progress and development of the area, we’ll see to that… and other areas of collaboration, education,” he said.
The President also called for cooperation from Nigeria’s National Assembly, the country’s federal legislature, stressing that legislative support is vital to speeding up project delivery and sustaining economic recovery.
“When we took over, the economy of this country was in a very difficult situation. But I can tell you today that we are out of the tunnel of depression and economic disaster, and the economy has turned the corner for good,” Tinubu said.
“It is left for us to ensure that the ordinary people at the bottom of the ladder… feel the benefit of this economy—working on that, and Dr Ogbuku has been very instrumental to that.”
Meanwhile, leaders of the Ogbia community pledged political support for Tinubu ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Speaking for the delegation, Robert Enogha said the visit was to express gratitude for what he described as visible improvements in the Niger Delta since Ogbuku’s appointment.
“And so the Ogbia Kingdom only came to thank Mr President in one breath, to say, ‘we are behind you.’ We are renewing your mandate, to say, Mr President, come 2027, we are with you,” Enogha stated.
He also invited the President to attend a major socio-cultural initiation ceremony in the community, describing it as a unifying institution. “Once we speak, we speak in one voice. There is no division,” he added.
