President Bola Tinubu pledged to bolster Nigeria’s armed forces and security architecture as the country grapples with a surge in attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers across several northern states, amid mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers to escalate military action.
The pledge comes as violence continues to spread across northern Nigeria. In Niger State’s Borgu local government area, armed men reportedly abducted more than 60 worshippers during Friday prayers, with many victims still unaccounted for. In Sokoto State, at least 40 people, including a local chief imam, were killed in an attack in Kebbe local government area, while at least 30 people were killed in Naridon village in Kaduna State’s Kaura local government area. Reprisal attacks by bandits have also continued in Katsina State.
An opposition lawmakers’ caucus urged Tinubu to deploy a sustained, intelligence-led military operation to reclaim territory held by armed groups, saying the president has the constitutional authority and military capacity to act decisively. The lawmakers pointed to a recent operation that rescued schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State’s Oriire local government area as a model that could be scaled up nationally.
Tinubu has previously said his government would not negotiate with or pay ransoms to kidnappers and terrorists, and has outlined plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions as part of a broader restructuring of the country’s security apparatus. His administration has also pointed to increased police recruitment and expanded defence funding in the 2026 budget as evidence of its commitment to tackling insecurity.
Despite the government’s stated resolve, critics say attacks have continued largely unabated in parts of the north-west and north-central regions, fueling calls for a more forceful and coordinated response from federal security forces.
