President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to securing every part of the country and creating an environment where citizens can live, work and prosper in peace.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday evening while speaking at the maiden State House Media Dinner held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Addressing journalists and other guests, Tinubu acknowledged the country’s security challenges but said his administration had made significant progress in weakening terrorist and criminal networks.

“We have moved steadily from reacting to threats toward systematically degrading them. We remain resolute in our commitment to securing every part of our country and ensuring that every Nigerian can live, work, and prosper in peace,” he said.

According to the President, military operations have intensified across several theatres of conflict, supported by improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and enhanced regional and international partnerships.

He said the renewed efforts have resulted in the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and other criminal elements, the rescue of numerous kidnap victims and the recovery of communities previously under the control of armed groups.

Tinubu commended the armed forces and other security agencies for their professionalism and courage in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.

Tinubu Highlights Economic Gains

The President also expressed optimism about the country’s economic outlook, saying ongoing fiscal and economic reforms were beginning to produce measurable results.

He described the reforms as among the most ambitious in Nigeria’s history, noting that difficult policy decisions taken by his administration were laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

According to Tinubu, public revenues have improved significantly, foreign reserves have strengthened, investor confidence is returning and fresh investments are flowing into the oil and gas sector.

He added that state governments are now receiving higher allocations to fund development projects, while the Nigerian stock market has recorded notable growth.

The President said reforms in taxation, public finance, infrastructure development and the ease of doing business were positioning the economy for greater competitiveness and long-term prosperity.

While acknowledging that challenges remain, Tinubu maintained that the country is on the right path toward economic stability.

President Urges Responsible Journalism

Tinubu also called on journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical standards in their reporting, warning against the spread of misinformation, disinformation and sensationalism.

He said a free press remains essential to democracy but stressed that press freedom must be exercised responsibly.

According to the President, public trust in the media depends on fairness, integrity and factual reporting.

He also defended legislation such as the Cybercrimes Act, saying the law was enacted to protect citizens from cyberstalking, identity theft and malicious falsehoods rather than to undermine press freedom.

Ex-Kano Military Governor Says Government Knows Bandits’ Locations

Meanwhile, former military governor of old Kano State, Sani Bello, has said the Federal Government possesses the intelligence and military capability to eliminate notorious bandit leaders if it chooses to do so.

Speaking during an interview with Premier Radio in Kano, Bello argued that security agencies are fully aware of the locations of major bandit commanders operating across the country.

“Wherever these bandits are hiding, the government knows their locations. Security personnel know exactly where they are and how to reach them,” he said.

The retired army officer questioned why security agencies are able to track individuals over online activities but have yet to apprehend notorious bandit leaders.

He dismissed suggestions that Nigeria lacks the weapons needed to defeat insurgents and bandits, insisting that the armed forces possess advanced surveillance drones, artillery and military aircraft far superior to the capabilities of criminal groups.

Bello, however, praised troops fighting on the front lines, describing them as overstretched due to the widespread nature of insecurity across the country.

He called on the Federal Government to boost troop strength by integrating police personnel into combat operations and recalling retired soldiers, citing Nigeria’s military expansion during the civil war as an example.

According to him, police officers already possess basic military discipline and would require only limited combat training before deployment to support ongoing security operations.