By Michael AMAJAMA
President Bola Tinubu vowed the commitment of his administration to tackle insecurity and ease economic hardship, insisting that Nigeria will not yield to terror or criminal intimidation.
The president’s message was delivered on his behalf on Sunday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
In a statement shared on X, Akume, who spoke on behalf of the President, said the administration is aware of the economic difficulties facing citizens and is working to reduce the impact through what he described as the delivery of democratic dividends.
According to him, the government is not indifferent to the struggles of Nigerians.
“Government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” he said, adding that President Tinubu would intensify efforts to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the country.
On security, the SGF said the Federal Government remains focused on protecting lives and ensuring the safe release of persons in captivity, noting that security agencies are being supported to respond to threats across the country.
He maintained that despite ongoing challenges, the state would not bow to criminal elements.
“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he said.
Akume also acknowledged Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, describing it as a product of the sacrifices of citizens and pro-democracy activists who fought for its restoration.
He paid tribute to those involved in the June 12 struggle, noting that many suffered persecution, injuries and death in the process of securing democratic rule.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged Nigerians to reject violence, hate speech and divisive politics, warning young people against being used for thuggery or misinformation.
“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 warned.
In another development, the Nigerian Army troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in conjunction with Special Operations Forces, have announced the rescue of the 360 civilians, mainly women and children, abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.
Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of the North East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, said that the rescue followed a coordinated special operation conducted across multiple fronts around the Mandara Mountains, on June 6.
According to him, Special Operations Forces initially carried out preliminary missions that created confusion within terrorist camps, paving the way for ground troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to extract the captives successfully
“The rescued civilians were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
“However, the operation recorded a tragic setback as two infants died during the rescue effort due to the harsh and difficult terrain encountered while moving the victims to safety,” he said.
