President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to pray for bandits and terrorists to repent, even as a fresh wave of kidnappings forces school closures and sparks panic across the South-West. In his Eid-el-Kabir national address, Tinubu urged the public to "pray that those who commit crimes among us may rethink and abandon their evil ways or face the full weight of the law."
The appeal comes amid escalating violence. Armed terrorists launched a devastating assault on a military school, leaving 17 officers feared dead. In Ekiti State, students scrambled into a police truck to escape potential attacks. Ondo State authorities shut down academic activities due to rising insecurity. Teachers in Oyo State protested the abduction of seven colleagues during attacks on schools in Oriire, demanding state intervention.
Security Forces Under Siege
One of the most severe recent engagements saw 17 officers feared dead after terrorists attacked a Nigerian military school, highlighting the capabilities of armed non-state actors. A viral video showing a Nigerian officer threatening a citizen for video recording has also sparked debates on discipline within security agencies.
Tinubu's Assurance
In his address, Tinubu acknowledged ongoing hardships but insisted reforms are yielding results. "The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here," he stated. He pointed to military achievements, including the elimination of a high-profile ISIS leader, and assured affected communities: "You are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil."
However, with schools closed and teachers protesting, the public demands more immediate measures to guarantee daily safety. The federal government maintains that long-term strategies in security hardware procurement, intelligence integration, and economic reforms will stabilize the country.
