Apparently miffed by the rising insecurity across Nigeria, which has generated heightened concerns among the citizens, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, last night declared that the country would not bow to terror but would overcome its security challenges.
This is just as the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, a 43-year-old younger sister of former Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has also reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the safe rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State.
Meanwhile, a former governor of Zamfara State and Senator representing Zamfara West, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari, on Saturday, called for national unity, collective responsibility and renewed hope in the battle against insecurity in the country.
Reacting to the various security incidents in parts of the country, Sanwo-Olu stated that Nigerians must stand united as one people behind President Bola Tinubu and all the armed forces, stressing that the forces of evil confronting the nation did not ask for the political affiliation of Nigerians before they killed, maimed and destroyed.
“We are Nigerians. Our will is strong, and our spirit is unbreakable,” he said.
According to him, every life lost is a tragedy, and every community threatened by violence deserves solidarity, support, and protection.
Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to be united in prayers for the teachers and students abducted from Orire Local Government Area (LGA) in Oyo State.
“In trying moments like this, Nigerians must never lose faith in our nation or in our collective ability to overcome adversity. We are Nigerians. The seed of greatness lies within every one of us,” Sanwo-Olu added.
“Our country has faced many challenges throughout its history. We have confronted economic setbacks, political instability, social tensions, and security threats.
Yet, through resilience, courage, and unity of purpose, we have always emerged stronger. This moment will be no different.
“The security challenge confronting our nation today is not insurmountable. The forces seeking to spread fear and instability do not represent the character of our people or the future of our country. Their actions are designed to weaken our resolve and diminish our confidence. We must deny them that victory because we are Nigerians,” he added.
The governor urged Nigerians across every state, region, faith, and ethnic background to remain united, insisting that the moment was not a time for division or despair but a time to reaffirm common identity and shared commitment to peace, progress, and national development.
He noted that the government alone cannot win this battle without the support, cooperation, vigilance, and active intelligence sharing by the local communities.
“I wish to reiterate my confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and in the ability of our security and intelligence services to be able to defeat the forces of evil unleashing terror attacks on soft targets within the civilian population in our land,” he said.
Ejiofor Alike , Linus Aleke and Kemi Olaitan
