Tinubu meets Niger Delta leaders in Aso Rock, vows to end terrorism

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will overcome banditry and terrorism, saying security agencies are “fighting very hard” to restore peace and stability across the country.

The President gave the assurance on Wednesday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving leaders of the Ogbia community from Bayelsa State.

He pledged that his government would continue to sustain military and security efforts against violent groups, while also increasing development interventions in the Niger Delta region.

Tinubu’s latest promise comes amid continued security challenges in parts of the North-West, North-East and North-Central, where communities are facing insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and attacks on rural areas. The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that ongoing security operations are making progress through arrests and the disruption of criminal networks.

“We cannot excuse the neglect of the past, but living in the past do us no good except take it and run with it. Now, part of Nigeria is challenged by terrorism and banditry, and the challenges are numerous.

“You know, a little accident makes a bigger noise in terrorism or banditry, no matter how long success is being achieved. We are prosecuting them. We are arresting them. We are neutralising some of them who continue to do that,” the President said.

Tinubu added that the armed forces were pushing to restore stability, declaring that victory was assured.

“Men and women of armed forces are fighting very hard to bring peace and stability to the country, and I can guarantee you we win,” he said, adding, “That’s all I can promise at this stage.”

Beyond security, the President promised the Niger Delta community that his administration would not abandon development commitments, citing ongoing efforts around infrastructure and social services.

He praised the performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission under its Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

Tinubu said although past administrations failed to adequately cater to the oil-bearing region, his government was determined to pursue “progress, determination and constructive engagement” with producing communities.

“It’s a joy to listen to the good history of our discovery. Unfortunately, we have not done well in the past to cater for the goose that lays the golden egg, the Niger Delta.

“But fortunately, recently, God had given us the opportunity. We will continue with that, and we won’t let you down.

“The focus now is going forward with progress, determination and constructive engagement with the community and the entire nation,” he said.

He cited improved community life and economic activity from interventions such as solar-powered street lighting, arguing that development projects were already changing lives in communities that previously shut down early due to darkness and limited infrastructure.

Tinubu also used the meeting to commend former President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ogbia indigene, describing him as a good leader and citizen and vowing to continue to honour him.

On requests presented by the delegation, the President promised action on ecological challenges, especially erosion, and said his government would look into infrastructure proposals, including a bridge which he described as critical to economic growth and regional progress.

“What can I promise you? You mentioned the erosion. We will look into that. We will take it.

“You didn’t ask for too much on the bridge; that is an infrastructure that elicits the economy and progress and development of the area, we’ll see to that… and other areas of collaboration, education,” Tinubu said.

He also appealed for legislative cooperation, saying the National Assembly had a role to play in sustaining economic recovery and delivering projects faster, as his administration works to ensure that improvements in macroeconomic indicators translate to relief for Nigerians.

Tinubu noted that the economy had moved out of a difficult period, arguing that the task ahead was to ensure that people “at the bottom of the ladder” feel the benefits.

“When we took over, the economy of this country was in a very difficult situation. But I can tell you today that we are out of the tunnel of depression and economic disaster, and the economy has turned the corner for good.

“It is left for us to ensure that the ordinary people at the bottom of the ladder… feel the benefit of this economy—working on that, and Dr Ogbuku has been very instrumental to that,” he said.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Ogbia community pledged political support forTinubu ahead of 2027, praising his appointment of their son, Ogbuku, as Managing Director of the NDDC.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Robert Enogha said the Ogbia people had come primarily to appreciate Tinubu for what he described as visible changes in the Niger Delta since Ogbuku’s appointment.

“And so the Ogbia Kingdom only came to thank Mr President in one breath, to say, ‘we are behind you.’ We are renewing your mandate, to say, Mr President, come 2027, we are with you,” he stated.

Enogha said the delegation also invited Tinubu to the community for what he called an “initiation,” which he described as a major socio-cultural institution that speaks with one voice.

“In fact, we had even used the opportunity to invite President himself, so that he would come for what we call initiation. It’s one of the foremost social, cultural groups, organisations in the country. And once we speak, we speak in one voice. There is no division,” he said.

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