Tinubu: Nigeria Will Be Fully Secured, Peace Guaranteed Nationwide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration remains fully committed to restoring peace and security across the country, declaring that the military is steadily gaining ground against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements.

According to Ireporter Online, the President stated that security operations have moved beyond a reactive approach to a more strategic and coordinated effort aimed at dismantling criminal and terrorist networks across various theatres of operation. He noted that sustained military offensives, improved intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and stronger regional and international partnerships have significantly strengthened Nigeria’s security architecture, despite ongoing challenges.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday night at the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where he also reaffirmed his administration’s support for press freedom, responsible journalism, and democratic accountability.

He explained that ongoing military operations have resulted in the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminals, the rescue of numerous abducted victims, and the recovery of communities previously under the control of armed groups. He commended the armed forces and other security agencies for their courage and professionalism in combating insecurity across the nation.

On the economy, the President acknowledged that Nigeria is undergoing one of its most ambitious reform programmes, insisting that difficult policy decisions are beginning to yield positive results. He said the economy is stabilising, government revenues have improved, state allocations have increased, investor confidence is returning, and foreign reserves are strengthening, while noting that growth in the oil and gas sector and the stock market reflects renewed economic momentum.

Tinubu further stressed that ongoing tax and fiscal reforms, infrastructure development, and efforts to improve the ease of doing business are laying a strong foundation for long-term prosperity, even as he admitted that challenges persist.

On media freedom, the President reiterated his commitment to protecting freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, while urging journalists to exercise their responsibilities with professionalism, accuracy, and caution, especially in an era of misinformation, disinformation, and digital manipulation such as deepfakes.

He warned that while democracy cannot thrive without a free press, such freedom must not be abused to spread falsehoods or endanger national security. Tinubu emphasized the need for the media to prioritise credibility over sensationalism and truth over viral content, noting that responsible journalism remains essential to national cohesion and development.

He also clarified that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act are intended to protect citizens from abuse in the digital space rather than undermine press freedom, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to constitutional guarantees of media independence and access to information.

The President described the relationship between government and the media as one of constructive engagement and healthy scrutiny, stressing that both institutions play vital roles in strengthening democracy and nation-building. He expressed optimism that the State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner would become a lasting tradition promoting collaboration between the government and the press.

The event also featured goodwill messages from top government officials and the recognition of distinguished Nigerians and media practitioners, with the President being decorated as Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps.