President Bola Tinubu has declared that banditry and terrorism are unacceptable in Nigeria, describing the twin security challenges as alien to the country’s culture and a major obstacle to economic growth.
Tinubu vowed that his administration would intensify efforts to strengthen the nation’s security forces and decisively crush the activities of bandits and terrorists.
The President spoke on Monday at the opening of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
“To further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry,” Tinubu said.
He added, “That, I promise you, is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you that we will win with determination and resilience.
“This banditry and terrorism are unacceptable. It is not part of our culture. It is foreign to us. So it is an economic hindrance if we do not find an immediate solution to it.”
Tinubu’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over deadly attacks by bandits and extremists across several states.
On February 3, suspected Islamic extremists reportedly killed no fewer than 162 people in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attackers were said to have targeted the communities after residents allegedly rejected their demand to adopt a hardline version of Sharia law.
Reacting to the incident, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, described the attack as a “brutal and deliberate massacre” and genocide, saying victims were shot at close range, burnt alive, or had their throats slit.
At least 38 persons, mostly women and children, were abducted, while over 50 others were hospitalised.
On the same day, bandits also killed at least 20 people in Doma communities of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State following the collapse of a community-led peace agreement.
At the NEC conference, President Tinubu commended some state governors for their efforts in tackling insecurity, particularly those of Borno and Katsina states.
“I commend many of you, particularly the governor of Borno State, Katsina, many of you who have done so much to defend our freedom, liberty and our commonwealth,” he said.
The President also linked Nigeria’s security challenges to farmer-herder conflicts, insisting that resolutions from the NEC conference must address ranching and livestock reforms.
“I’m confident that the resolution of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches and diversification of our agricultural produce.
“I promise you here, I will play my part. I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered,” Tinubu said.
He recalled his directive of December 10, 2025, in which he tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to develop a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry through ranching.
At a Federal Executive Council meeting on the same date, Tinubu directed Shettima, who chairs the NEC, to sensitise governors and stakeholders on the implementation of ranching reforms, while instructing the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify villages and grazing areas for rehabilitation into modern ranches.
“We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable,” the President had said.
Following the directive, the NEC, at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, with representatives from the six geopolitical zones to fast-track ranching reforms nationwide.
Tinubu arrived at the conference venue at about 12:12 pm and formally declared the second edition of the NEC conference open.
The conference, presided over by Vice President Shettima, was convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, under the theme: ‘Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.’
It is scheduled to hold from February 9 to 10 and is expected to focus on key macroeconomic priorities, including fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation and shared development strategies between the federal and state governments.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC, Dr Deborah Odo, said the conference would address national economic issues aimed at driving growth and development.
State governors, top government officials, development partners and private sector leaders are participating as the Federal Government seeks to deepen reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
