President Bola Tinubu has commended Nigerian troops and other security personnel on the front lines of the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, describing them as the nation’s shield against forces threatening peace and security.

In a post on his official X handle on Monday, the President praised the sacrifices and resilience of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies working to protect lives and property across the country.

“You stand as a shield between innocent citizens and those who seek to destroy the peace, safety, and dignity of our communities,” Tinubu said.

He noted that security operatives continue to shoulder the burden of national protection across various terrains and operational environments.

“In the forests, on the roads, at forward operating bases, in the air, creeks, and across difficult terrains, you carry the burden of national protection so that millions of Nigerians can sleep, work, worship, farm, trade, and raise their children in hope,” he stated.

Acknowledging the challenges confronting security personnel, the President said the fight against terrorism and other forms of insecurity has demanded enormous sacrifice and resilience.

“This fight has not been easy. It has come with pain, pressure, and sacrifice. But your courage has remained firm. Your service is acknowledged. Your sacrifice is honoured. Your country does not take you for granted.”

Tinubu extended appreciation to personnel of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), intelligence agencies, local security formations and other stakeholders contributing to national security.

He also paid tribute to the families of security personnel, recognising the emotional burden and prolonged periods of separation they endure in support of their loved ones serving the nation.

“I also acknowledge the families behind the uniform. Many of you have endured long absences, anxious nights, and the emotional cost of duty. Nigeria remembers that sacrifice, too.”

The President further honoured officers and personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing their sacrifices as vital to the protection of communities and the preservation of the nation.

He urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and useful information, stressing that the fight against terrorism requires collective effort.

“The fight against terror is not only a military operation. It is a national duty. Citizens must support our security forces by providing timely, useful information. When you see something, say something. When you know something, report it.”

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ending insecurity, Tinubu declared that Nigeria would not succumb to fear or allow terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and violent extremists to define the country’s identity.

“Nigeria will not surrender to fear. We will not allow terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, or violent extremists to define who we are as a people. Their violence is not our identity. Their hatred does not represent Nigerians of any faith, creed, or community.”

The President concluded by thanking frontline security personnel for their courage, vigilance and service, while praying for their protection as they continue to defend the country.

Tinubu’s remarks come amid renewed security concerns in several parts of the country, with incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence continuing to pose challenges for security agencies.

In recent months, several cases of mass abductions have been recorded, including the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, attacks on communities by armed groups, and the abduction of travellers along major highways.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Nigeria has explained that the disruptions experienced during the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were caused by a combination of logistical, security and operational challenges.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, said the delays were linked to protests over the abduction of schoolchildren, the death of three WAEC officials in a road accident in Gombe State, and other operational difficulties.

The examination body was reacting to widespread complaints following delays that affected the conduct of several papers across the country last week.

On Monday, candidates reportedly spent hours waiting before sitting for the Physics Essay and Objective papers.

The situation persisted on Wednesday during the General Mathematics Objective paper and worsened on Thursday when some candidates in Oyo State reportedly completed their examinations under poor lighting conditions.

Videos that surfaced online showed students using torchlights and mobile phone flashlights to write their papers, drawing criticism from parents, teachers and other stakeholders.

The disruptions occurred amid nationwide protests organised by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) over the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.

WAEC also suffered a major setback when three officials responsible for transporting examination materials died in a road accident along the Gombe-Yola highway. According to the council, the officials were on official duty when their vehicle collided with a truck.

The examination body said it commenced preliminary investigations immediately after receiving reports of the delays from examination centres across the country.

According to WAEC, the investigation showed that the challenges resulted from a combination of factors, including the loss of key personnel, security concerns and difficulties arising from the protests.

“First, the delay is the direct result of a devastating motor accident on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, which tragically claimed the lives of three of our dedicated personnel who were transporting sensitive examination materials interstate,” the statement said.

“This heartbreaking loss, coupled with prevailing regional security challenges, severely compromised our distribution schedule, which inadvertently led to the delayed start times.”

WAEC extended its condolences to the families of the deceased officials, describing them as committed personnel who died while carrying out their duties.

The council stated that emergency contingency measures were immediately activated to reduce the impact of the incident on the examination process.

“While mourning this loss, our team of indefatigable staff worked around the clock to deploy emergency contingency measures to ensure that the examination was still conducted in the affected areas,” the statement added.

WAEC further noted that security concerns and protests triggered by the abduction of schoolchildren disrupted the movement and timely distribution of examination materials in some locations.

It also cited challenges related to the finalisation of examination modalities and the late registration of candidates, which affected the preparation and deployment of examination materials.

Despite the setbacks, the council assured candidates, parents and other stakeholders that corrective measures had been implemented to prevent a recurrence and ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining examinations.

According to WAEC, the impact of those interventions was already evident in the examinations conducted on Friday, June 5.

The council also thanked its stakeholders, including the Federal and State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, for their support and cooperation.

“The Council has enjoyed the massive support and cooperation of its stakeholders, including the Federal and State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies who have remained worthy partners in the course of WAEC’s delivery on its mandate,” the statement said.

WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity, credibility and seamless administration of the WASSCE nationwide.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday said Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy is driven by enterprise, investment and coordinated reforms across all levels of government.

Speaking on Monday when he declared open the Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Vice President said President Bola Tinubu had borne the consequences of making “painful” economic decisions in the interest of the country.

“The President has taken the bullet for making painful decisions because we understand that the economy of our dream cannot be built on illusions, and leadership entails taking hard, harsh decisions.

“If you want to be a nice man, you can go and sell ice cream, but leadership requires you taking very harsh decisions,” he said.

Shettima said the country’s economic future depends on creating conditions that allow capital, innovation and productive enterprise to thrive.

He particularly identified Lagos State as the clearest demonstration of how subnational leadership can accelerate national economic transformation.

The VP praised President Tinubu for laying the foundation of the Lagos development model, describing it as a governance tradition that has created continuity and positioned the state as a continental economic force.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu planted the tree whose shade has sheltered a succession of leaders committed to futurist ideas, institutional continuity and disciplined governance,” he stated.

Addressing an audience of policymakers, global investors, entrepreneurs, development institutions and business leaders, VP Shettima said Lagos had continued to distinguish itself as Nigeria’s foremost economic gateway and one of Africa’s most influential centres for commerce and investment.


He described the state as more than a commercial capital, noting that the city remains a testing ground for ideas, governance and economic execution.

“Lagos is the livewire of our continent. Lagos is the furnace in which our ideas are tested against the discipline of execution. Lagos is the great doorway through which Nigeria continues to greet the future,” the Vice President said.

According to him, Lagos has repeatedly shown that economic progress is achievable when vision is matched with competent leadership, institutional continuity, and private sector confidence.

The Vice President credited the former nation’s capital’s growth trajectory to leadership that has sustained long-term planning and governance reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

VP Shettima also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining Lagos’ growth momentum and strengthening its attractiveness as a destination for investment and business expansion.


Referring to the summit’s theme, “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” the Vice President said the gathering reflects an emerging global reality where cities increasingly shape production systems, supply chains, innovation networks, and investment flows.

He noted that Lagos has continued to attract investors because of its access to markets, infrastructure, talent and financial opportunities.

The Vice President reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s economic agenda, stating that recent macroeconomic reforms were deliberately designed to restore market confidence, improve fiscal sustainability and unlock large-scale private investment.

He acknowledged that some of the decisions undertaken by government have been difficult, maintaining, however, that sustainable prosperity requires structural discipline and economic realism.

“We have taken difficult decisions because we understand that the economy of our dream cannot be built on illusions. It must be built on productivity, discipline, competitiveness, and the courage to create a climate in which enterprise can breathe,” he said.