President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has made a resolute declaration against individuals he termed as "bad" Nigerians, emphasizing his administration's commitment to ensuring that these actors face the full extent of the law.
This announcement was made during a major event at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, where the graduation ceremony for the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 took place. Represented by the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, President Tinubu underscored his administration's dedication to maintaining security and stability across the nation.
In his address, Tinubu stated, "If you are a bad man, whether you are inside Nigeria or outside, you are in trouble. We will go after you. We will bring you to justice." This strong message reflects the administration's focus on addressing security challenges that have plagued Nigeria, including terrorism, ethno-religious conflicts, and other forms of criminal activities.
The President's remarks were further supported by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeọla Ajayi, who highlighted the importance of synergy among security agencies. Ajayi expressed confidence that with collaborative efforts, Nigeria could overcome its security challenges, stating, "Together we can win. The CDS and NSA have driven synergy in a way I have never seen in my career. We need to work together."
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has been navigating a complex landscape marked by economic challenges, social unrest, and allegations of governance failures. His administration has faced criticism for not adequately addressing human rights concerns and the rule of law, as noted in various reports.
Moreover, the country has been grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira, which have led to skyrocketing prices of essential goods and services.
The economic policies implemented by Tinubu's government have had profound impacts on the Nigerian populace. For instance, the price of petrol saw a dramatic increase from 175 Naira per liter in May 2023 to 1,030 Naira by October 2024, representing a nearly 500% hike. This surge in fuel costs has plunged many areas, particularly rural regions, into darkness, as 60% of households rely on petrol and diesel generators due to lack of access to the national electricity grid.
Additionally, the devaluation of the Naira, which fell from 475 Naira per USD to 1,670.65 Naira per USD by late October 2024, has further strained the economy, making it one of the worst-performing currencies globally.
These economic strains have led to widespread food insecurity, with the number of food-insecure people rising from 66.2 million in early 2023 to 100 million in early 2024. By July 2024, staple food prices, such as beans and maize, had increased by 400%, contributing to a year-on-year food inflation rate of 37.5% in August, one of the highest globally.
In response to these dire conditions, civil society organizations organized protests from August 1-10, 2024, demanding government intervention to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. However, these protests were met with a violent crackdown, reportedly to satisfy demands from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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