President Bola Tinubu has promised that his government will combat banditry and terrorism, assuring everyone that security agencies are “working extremely hard” to bring back peace and stability throughout the nation.
On Wednesday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu addressed leaders of the Ogbia community from Bayelsa State, assuring them that his administration would continue the fight against violent organizations while enhancing development efforts in the Niger Delta.
The President’s recent commitment emerged as areas in the Northwest, Northeast, and North-Central face ongoing struggles with insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and assaults on rural areas, while the Federal Government maintains that security efforts have achieved progress through arrests and the dismantling of criminal networks.
Tinubu informed the Bayelsa delegation that the nation faced several security issues but emphasized that the government was persistent, as military forces ramp up efforts against terrorists and bandits.
“We cannot excuse the neglect of the past, but living in the past does us no good except to take it and run with it. Now, part of Nigeria is challenged by terrorism and banditry, and the challenges are numerous.
“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 neutralizing some of them who continue to do that,” the president said.
Tinubu also mentioned that the armed forces were pushing to restore stability, declaring that victory was assured.
Tinubu added that the armed forces were pushing to restore stability, declaring that victory was assured.
Beyond security, the president assured the Niger Delta population that his administration would not abandon development pledges, citing current efforts in infrastructure and social services.
He lauded the performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission under its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Tinubu stated that, while previous administrations had failed to adequately serve the oil-rich region, his government was committed to pursuing “progress, determination, and constructive engagement” with producing communities.
“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.
“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,” he said.
He claimed better community life and economic activity as a result of interventions such as solar-powered street lighting, claiming that development projects were already improving lives in towns that had previously shut down early owing to darkness and inadequate infrastructure.
Tinubu also used the occasion to praise former President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ogbia native, calling him a worthy leader and citizen and promising to continue to honor him.
In response to the delegation’s concerns, the president vowed action on environmental issues, particularly erosion, and stated that his administration would investigate infrastructure proposals, including a bridge, which he regarded as vital 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,” Tinubu said.
He also called for legislative cooperation, saying the National Assembly had a responsibility to play in sustaining economic recovery and expediting project delivery, as his administration worked to guarantee that gains in macroeconomic indicators convert into relief for Nigerians.
Tinubu stated that the economy had emerged from a difficult phase, and that the work ahead was to guarantee that people “at the bottom of the ladder” reaped the advantages.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ogbia community elders vowed political support to Tinubu ahead of 2027, complimenting his selection of their son, Ogbuku, as NDDC Managing Director.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Robert Enogha stated that the Ogbia people have come to respect Tinubu for the obvious developments 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,” he stated.
Enogha stated that the group also invited Tinubu to the community for an “initiation,” which he defined as an important socio-cultural institution with a unified voice.
“In fact, we had even used the opportunity to invite the president himself so that he would come for what we call initiation. It’s one of the foremost social, cultural groups, organisations in the country. And once we speak, we speak in one voice. There is no division,” he said.
