President Bola Tinubu has proudly stated that his administration is making progress in the fight against terrorism and banditry. This was emphasized during his second Independence Day speech as Nigeria marks its 64th anniversary.

Tinubu, who inherited the security challenges from former President Muhammadu Buhari, mentioned that his administration has successfully eliminated over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders. He further highlighted that peace has been restored to hundreds of communities in the North, allowing thousands of people to return to their homes.

According to the Global Observatory, there are more than 30,000 bandits belonging to various groups in northwest Nigeria. These groups vary in size, with some having as few as 10 members while others have over 1,000 fighters.

"On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry. Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism," Tinubu said.

He continued: "Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country."

"We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this."

Banditry is a composite crime that includes kidnapping, massacre, rape, cattle rustling, and the illegal possession of firearms. The impact of their actions has been devastating, with a staggering 1,087,875 individuals in rural communities displaced as of December 2022. Furthermore, between 2010 and May 2023, approximately 13,485 deaths have been attributed to banditry.

He also acknowledged the struggles of Nigerians in the challenging times, assuring that his government is on top gear to address the rising cost of living while also tackling unemployment in the country.

“As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.

“Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.

“The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it,” Tinubu said.