Banditry, Terrorism Foreign to Nigerian Culture — Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Monday said banditry and terrorism are alien to Nigerian culture and a major economic threat, pledging that his administration would strengthen security forces and push livestock and ranching reforms to address insecurity and farmer-herder conflicts.
The President spoke at the opening of a two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
He said his government would intensify efforts to defeat armed groups and restore safety across the country.
“To further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry.
“That, I promise you…is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you that we will win with determination and resilience,” Tinubu said.
He added, “This banditry and terrorism are unacceptable. It is not part of our culture. It is foreign to us.
“So it is an economic hindrance if we do not find an immediate solution to it.”
Recent attacks in parts of the country formed part of the background to the President’s remarks, with several communities in Kwara and Katsina states recording deadly assaults in recent days.
Authorities in Kwara State said scores of residents were killed and many others injured or abducted when armed men attacked communities in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq described the incident as a “brutal and deliberate massacre,” while emergency responses were mounted for survivors.
In Katsina State, bandits also killed residents in communities in Faskari Local Government Area after a local peace arrangement reportedly collapsed.
At the NEC conference, Tinubu commended some state governors for their efforts in tackling insecurity, particularly those of Borno and Katsina states.
“I commend many of you, particularly the governor of Borno State, Katsina, many of you who have done so much to defend our freedom, liberty and our commonwealth,” he said.
The President linked the security situation to ongoing livestock reforms, saying ranching and dairy development were key to ending conflicts between farmers and herders.
“I’m confident that the resolution of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches and diversification of our agricultural produce.
“I promise you here, I will play my part. I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered,” Tinubu said.
He recalled that on December 10, 2025, he directed Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to develop a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry through ranching.
At a Federal Executive Council meeting on that date, he also asked the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify communities and grazing areas suitable for conversion into modern ranches.
“We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable,” the President had said at the meeting.
Following the directive, the NEC at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, with representatives from all six geopolitical zones.
Tinubu arrived at the conference venue at 12:12 pm on Monday and formally declared the second edition of the NEC conference open.
Vice President Shettima is presiding over the conference, which the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, convened under the theme, ‘Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.’
The conference, scheduled for February 9 and 10, is expected to address macroeconomic priorities including fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation and joint development strategies between the federal and state governments.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC, Dr Deborah Odo, said the sessions would focus on national economic issues aimed at stimulating growth and development.
State governors, senior government officials, development partners and private-sector leaders are participating as the Federal Government seeks to advance reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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