President Bola Tinubu has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism, declaring that those who continue to threaten Nigeria’s peace and security will face the full force of the law.

In a hard-hitting nationwide Democracy Day broadcast on Friday, the President warned criminal elements across the country that the window for surrender and repentance would not remain open indefinitely.

“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” Tinubu said.

“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”

His remarks come amid recurring debates over the identity of criminal groups and concerns that worsening insecurity could deepen ethnic divisions across the country.

Even as he vowed decisive action against perpetrators of violence, the President cautioned Nigerians against politicising insecurity or associating criminality with any ethnic group.

“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity,” he said.

Rather than succumb to mutual suspicion, Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite against a common enemy.

“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he declared.

Expressing confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges and emerge stronger, the President added: “We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”

Tinubu framed the current period as a defining chapter in the country’s history and called on citizens to rise to the responsibilities of their generation.

“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence, the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.

In a rallying call for national renewal, the President urged Nigerians to reject pessimism and embrace a shared vision of progress.

“Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism, and despair, and embracing unity, hope, and confidence,” Tinubu said.

“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.”