Kayode Olopade
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerians to unite behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation's security agencies in the face of recent security challenges, saying that moments like this required that they remind themselves of being of strong will and unbreakable spirit.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call in a strongly worded statement against the backdrop of abduction of students and teachers from schools in Oyo and Borno states.
The governor, in a personally signed statement, titled: "We Won't Bow to Terror, Nigeria Shall Overcome," copy of which was made available to newsmen, urged Nigerians not to allow fear, political divisions or ethnic differences to weaken national resolve, declaring that the country would overcome the forces threatening its peace and stability.
The governor described the recent incidents as tragic and deeply concerning but maintained that Nigeria possesses the resilience, courage and unity required to defeat those seeking to spread terror and instability
“Moments like this require us to remind ourselves of who we are as a people. We are Nigerians. Our will is strong and our spirit is unbreakable,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, while stressing that insecurity should not be viewed through partisan lenses, noted that criminals and terrorists do not discriminate based on political affiliation, religion or ethnicity.
According to him, national support for efforts to restore peace and security must, therefore, transcend political interests and divisive rhetoric.
The governor expressed sympathy for victims of violent attacks across the country and specifically called for prayers and solidarity for teachers and students recently abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He said every life lost to violence represents a tragedy and emphasised the need for Nigerians to stand with communities affected by insecurity.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while acknowledging the gravity of the current security situation, insisted that the challenge was not beyond the country’s capacity to overcome.
This was just as he quickly recalled that the country had navigated numerous crises throughout its history, including economic difficulties, political turbulence and security threats, emerging stronger on each occasion.
"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," he said.
Sanwo-Olu, however, charged local communities to take an active role in the fight against insecurity through intelligence sharing and vigilance, arguing that government agencies alone cannot win the battle without civilian cooperation.
The governor expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and in the ability of the nation’s security and intelligence services to defeat the threats facing the country.
"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.
"Every day, brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to defend our nation and preserve our freedoms. They deserve our prayers and our motivation to lift their spirits as they take on these forces of evil.
"The work being done to strengthen our security architecture, improve intelligence gathering, and confront criminal networks across the country requires patience, determination, and national unity. Lasting solutions are rarely achieved overnight, but progress is possible when a nation stands firmly behind those charged with protecting it," the governor stated.
"As Governor of Lagos State, I speak not only for the people of our state but also as a Nigerian who believes deeply in the promise of this country. I am convinced that our best days remain ahead of us. The challenges before us today must not define us. What should define us is how we respond—with courage instead of fear, with unity instead of division, and with hope instead of despair.
"To our young people, I say: remain hopeful. To our families and communities, I say: remain resilient. To those serving on the frontlines of our nation's security efforts, I say: remain steadfast. And to every Nigerian, I say: keep faith with our country.
"This battle shall be won. Nigeria will prevail because the collective strength of our people is greater than the evil agenda of the few who are bent on making us live in fear and despair. Together, we will build a Nigeria safer within her communities and confident of her future.
"May God continue to bless Lagos State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he prayed.
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