- Says Sacrifices Made By June 12 Heroes Should Inspire Building A Greater Nation
- Citizens Have A Role To Play In Combating Insecurity, Oyo Commissioner Of Police
- Excitement As Troops Rescue ‘360 Kidnap Victims’ In Borno
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will intensify efforts to ease the economic hardship facing citizens, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s determination to defeat insecurity and secure the release of all persons held captive across the country.
The assurance was conveyed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume CON, on Sunday during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The Democracy Day Service which has the theme, “God of hope, actualise our dreams,” was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker House of Representatives,Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; Mrs, Didi Walson-Jack.
Akume, who delivered President Tinubu’s message, congratulated Nigerians on 27 uninterrupted years of democratic rule since 1999, describing the milestone as a testament to the resilience, commitment and sacrifices of citizens who fought for the restoration of democracy.
He paid tribute to pro-democracy activists and patriots of the June 12 struggle, noting that many endured persecution, injuries and even death in the quest to secure democratic governance for the country.
The SGF said the President remains committed to fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities and would “double his efforts” to ensure that the socio-economic difficulties currently confronting Nigerians are substantially reduced through the delivery of sustainable democratic dividends.
Acknowledging the hardship facing many households, Senator Akume said the government was fully aware of the economic strain, insecurity, kidnappings and displacement affecting several communities across the country.
“Government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” he said, adding that Tinubu was leading efforts to address the challenges with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.
On security, the SGF stressed that the safety of Nigerians remains a top priority of the Federal Government, describing recent attacks and abductions as painful reminders that more work remains to be done.
He assured citizens that the safe return of all persons in captivity remains a national priority, noting that security agencies and relevant institutions are being supported with the necessary resources to protect lives, secure communities and preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he declared.
With political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually gathering momentum, the SGF urged Nigerians to reject violence, hate campaigns and divisive rhetoric, warning that democracy must never be reduced to a battleground.
He particularly appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used for thuggery, political violence, misinformation campaigns, ethnic abuse or religious intolerance.
“Do not rent out your conscience for money, drugs, political patronage or online applause. Your future is worth more than any politician’s temporary convenience,” he said.
The SGF also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media and families to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence and responsible conduct as the nation moves toward another election cycle.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, has blamed the failure of residents to report suspicious activities for enabling kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements to operate within communities.
The police chief made the remarks after leading journalists to a residential building in Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, where kidnappers had allegedly held Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons before they were rescued by security operatives.
Speaking during the visit, Olugbenga revealed that preliminary investigations showed the property had been repeatedly used as a hideout by kidnappers who brought abducted victims there without attracting reports from residents in the area.
According to the commissioner, some residents allegedly witnessed suspicious movements around the property but failed to alert security agencies.
“They have been bringing the abductees here. They bring them here, and people see them. Some even greet them and say ‘welcome.’ When people see such things and don’t speak up, what do you expect us to do?” he said.
“If suspicious activities like this had been reported, none of this would have happened. We would have taken the necessary steps in good time,” the police boss added.
Olugbenga stressed that effective policing requires active collaboration between citizens and security agencies, noting that law enforcement officers cannot be everywhere at the same time.
His comments come amid growing concerns over kidnapping and other violent crimes across parts of the country, with security experts repeatedly calling for stronger community participation in intelligence gathering.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report unusual movements, strange occupants, or suspicious activities within their neighbourhoods.
He maintained that timely information from members of the public remains one of the most effective weapons in the fight against insecurity.
The rescue of Adelabu’s sister and her children has once again highlighted the critical role local communities play in helping security agencies track criminal networks and prevent crimes before they occur. Police authorities say citizens must see security as a collective responsibility and work closely with law enforcement agencies to make communities safer.
In a development that has triggered excitement in INigeria, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 360 abductees from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave in the Mandara mountains area of southern Borno state.
In a statement, Haruna Sani, acting media information officer of OPHK, said the operation involved Special Forces and troops of Sector 1.
Sani said the victims, comprising men, women and children, had been held captive under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.
He described the mission as one of the most significant hostage rescue operations carried out in the north-east theatre in recent times.
According to the statement, the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and operational planning.
Sani said troops acted on credible intelligence that revealed the location of the hostages and an insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.
“Acting on confirmed intelligence, OPHK Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 launched a meticulously coordinated multi-axis operation designed to isolate the objective area, dominate key terrain, and prevent insurgent reinforcement or withdrawal,” the statement reads.
“Supported by real-time ISR feeds, assault forces infiltrated the objective area under the cover of darkness while blocking forces established positions along likely escape routes.
“The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before an organised response could be mounted.
“Faced with the speed, precision, and overwhelming combat power of the advancing troops, several insurgents abandoned their positions and fled into surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.
“The hostages were swiftly secured, medically screened, and evacuated from the objective area.
“Regrettably, two infants succumbed to exhaustion occasioned by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain and the hardships endured during their prolonged captivity.
“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group.”
The statement added that the military high command commended the courage, professionalism, and discipline displayed by personnel involved in the operation.
It said the command noted that the rescue reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, inter-agency synergy, and the armed forces’ resolve to protect civilians.
