Tinubu, leader to stem insecurity, says Hope Alive Initiative

Amidst security challenges that predate the current administration, the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) has said President Bola Tinubu has shown he is “the man for these times,” demonstrating the leadership required to stem the tide of violent crimes in the country.

A statement issued by its Director of Media and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, the pro-good-governance advocacy group noted that the country has recently faced one of its most challenging security periods in years, stressing that President Tinubu has responded with “clarity, decisiveness, and capacity.”

Omoarelojie said while the country was not yet completely out of the woods, the President’s actions show preparedness and political will to address all challenges citing his reaction to the abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states which has led to the rescue of all the abductees in two states and recovery of over 50 in Niger State.

The Group also commended the President for halting his planned trips to South Africa and Angola for the G7 and African Union meetings to focus on domestic security, describing this as evidence of the President’s commitment to citizens’ security above international engagements.

According to the statement, Tinubu also established a central coordination room to unify intelligence, military, police, and diplomatic operations under his direct leadership. This, HAI said, has allowed for faster decision-making, aligned strategies, and rapid deployment of resources.

The group added that President Tinubu has also declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised the recruitment of 50,000 new police officers, redeployment of military personnel from ceremonial duties to active operations, and recalling police personnel attached to VIPs. These steps, the HAI said, were part of an intensified national security push involving ground offensives and aerial surveillance.

“These rescues show tangible security improvements and reinforce public confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership,” the statement said.

HAI also praised the administration’s diplomatic engagements, including the National Security Adviser-led mission to Washington and the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ consultations in Niger Republic, which it says strengthen regional intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation.

The group pointed to reforms in the legal and judicial sectors, noting that the Nigeria Police Force prosecuted 29,052 violent criminals between 2022 and 2024, securing 16,200 convictions, adding that the National Human Rights Commission conducted 18 investigations and five prosecutions relating to religiously motivated attacks.
“These are challenging times,” HAI stated, “but Nigeria is fortunate to have a resolute leader in President Tinubu—bold and courageous enough to confront the challenges head-on. In time, the country will reap the results of his proactive security leadership.”

Full Statement

Tinubu Is the Leader to Stem Insecurity, Says Hope Alive Initiative

The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) notes that in recent weeks, Nigeria has faced one of its most challenging periods in recent history. Multiple security crises converged almost at once, creating national anxiety and the impression of impending collapse.

But like the Phoenix, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is demonstrating bold leadership with clarity, decisiveness, and capacity in how he has handled the situation. Nigeria may not be out of the woods yet, but the President’s actions and the results so far show that he not only knew what to do but also had the political will to do it.

When school children were abducted in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states, the President reacted swiftly through a combination of negotiation, intelligence operations, and tactical interventions. His first move was to cancel his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola for the G7 and AU meetings, a clear demonstration that national security anchored in human security takes precedence and that he is leading from the front in executing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

With the same vigour, the President did not just sit back to see how things unfolded but immediately established a Situation (Central Coordination) Room, bringing together intelligence, military, police, and diplomatic channels under a unified command led by himself. For the first time, Nigerians witnessed a coordinated attempt that involved making prompt decisions, aligning strategies with precision, and deploying resources without delay in response to the war’s dynamics. They saw the President taking effective charge and issuing all necessary commands without delay.

One of the first steps the President took was to order the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawale, to relocate to the theatre of war. While there, he would directly coordinate oversight and accelerate decision-making. It is a demonstration of authentic leadership, one that is not remote but present where it is really needed.

Also recognising the urgent need to strengthen the security workforce, the President authorised the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers – bringing the total to 50,000, to reinforce community policing and reduce the strain on existing forces. He further ordered the redeployment of military personnel from ceremonial duties to active operations, ensuring that trained soldiers are stationed at the front lines.

Additionally, police officers assigned to VIPs were recalled to restore their core internal security function. These measures underscore a new phase of intensified operations, from ground offensives to aerial surveillance, aimed at dismantling insurgent networks and restoring peace.

Consequently, the President’s proactive responses to ongoing security challenges are yielding results. The results are already evident. Many abducted Nigerians have been rescued; including the 24 girls taken from Government Secondary, Maga, Kebbi State, over 30 worshippers seized from a church in Kwara State, and 50 of the over 200 abducted school children taken from St Mary Catholic School, Minna, Niger State. This is in addition to the capture of a notorious terrorist kingpin in Taraba.

There is no doubt that the rescue of abducted Nigerians, including students and worshippers, demonstrates tangible security improvements that directly protect citizens’ lives and property, reinforcing trust in President Tinubu’s leadership and the administration’s commitment to their safety. These breakthroughs not only effectively disrupted networks of violence but also laid the groundwork for sustained peace through ongoing reforms and regional cooperation, ensuring long-term stability for Nigeria.

In the diplomatic sector, the President’s active engagement with Washington through the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led team, fosters hope and confidence that Nigeria is building stronger international security partnerships for a safer future.

Similarly, the strengthening of regional security partnerships, exemplified by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar’s engagement in the Republic of Niger underscores Nigeria’s commitment to collaborative efforts that enhance intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism across the Sahel, ensuring sustained regional stability and security for all Nigerians.

In addition, the government is advancing legal, judicial, and de-radicalisation initiatives, with indications that the Nigerian Police Force prosecuted 29,052 violent criminals between 2022 and 2024, securing 16,200 convictions. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) conducted 18 investigations and five prosecutions of religiously motivated attacks, reinforcing accountability while demonstrating the government’s commitment to advancing legal, judicial, and de-radicalisation initiatives for lasting peace. These reforms aim to protect vulnerable citizens and rebuild trust in the justice system and social fabric.

More importantly, the administration is also working with the UNHCR, the National Commission for Refugees, and other partners to tackle poverty, displacement, and identity-based grievances, which data show to be closely linked to conflict and extremist recruitment, as part of a broader counter-terrorism strategy.

These are, no doubt, challenging times; however, we are fortunate to have a resolute leader in President Tinubu, who is bold and courageous enough to confront the challenges head-on. In time, our country will reap the results of his proactive leadership in the security sector.

Signed:
Ernest Omoarelojie
Director of Media and Communications
Hope Alive Initiative (HAI)
(A Pro-Good-Governance and Development Advocacy Group in Nigeria)