President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security chiefs to intensify operations to rescue all Nigerians held captive by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, insisting that no criminal group should be allowed to operate camps anywhere in the country.
The President also charged security agencies to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for the 2027 general election, warning against voter intimidation and the use of security personnel to interfere with the electoral process.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), disclosed the presidential directives while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after a security meeting that lasted more than three hours.
The meeting, attended by military, intelligence and law enforcement chiefs, reviewed the security situation across the country and assessed preparations for the forthcoming elections.
Musa said Tinubu had directed security agencies to dismantle terrorist and bandit enclaves, rescue kidnapped citizens and restore public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
He added that the President expected security operatives to intensify their operations against criminal groups, irrespective of their locations, to ensure that no part of the country remained a safe haven for terrorists and kidnappers.
“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted or kidnapped wherever they are. There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” the minister said.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces and other security agencies would implement the directive through coordinated operations to eliminate threats to national security.
In Borno State, some abductees have reportedly remained in captivity for more than 150 days, prompting Governor Babagana Zulum to renew his appeal earlier in the week for intensified rescue efforts.
Other Nigerians are also being held by terrorists in Zamfara and Niger states.
Musa said the security meeting also addressed measures to ensure that citizens could exercise their democratic rights without fear of violence, harassment or intimidation during the 2027 elections.
According to him, Tinubu emphasised that the military, police and other security agencies must remain strictly neutral throughout the electoral process, irrespective of the political parties or candidates involved.
“Today’s meeting was to brief Mr President on the security situation within the country. The election is coming in January, and we must keep him abreast of what is ongoing.
“All heads of security agencies had an intensive discussion, and Mr President made it very clear he wants a free, fair, and credible election.
“We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote,” he said.
The defence minister added that security agencies would provide equal protection to all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, while allowing political parties to conduct their activities without undue interference.
He urged eligible voters not to be discouraged by security concerns, assuring them that adequate arrangements would be made to protect citizens before, during and after the elections.
“We are determined to ensure that we provide safety and security for all Nigerians. Everyone should come out and vote; vote for whoever they want.
“The President wants the atmosphere to be free, and all other political parties need to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral,” Musa said.
He stressed that the security establishment remained committed to professionalism and would not tolerate attempts to deploy security personnel to intimidate voters or give any political party an unfair advantage.
Musa also disclosed that Tinubu would soon inaugurate about 10 newly acquired military aircraft and helicopters to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.
He said the acquisitions reflected the administration’s determination to prioritise national security despite the country’s economic challenges.
According to him, the government has also stepped up military recruitment, training exercises and equipment procurement to improve the capacity of security personnel to respond to threats across different operational theatres.
“Many things have been done: an increase in the recruitment processes, training exercises, and procurement.
“Soon, Mr President will inaugurate a set of new aircraft and helicopters that have been bought, about 10 of them,” he said.
The minister further highlighted improvements in the welfare of military personnel, including a recent salary increase, adding that the government was also addressing remuneration issues affecting the police and other security agencies, as well as pension concerns.
He assured serving and retired personnel that the administration remained committed to improving their welfare and would not leave any category of security personnel behind.
Musa also dismissed suggestions that the Nigerian Armed Forces recruited or deployed underage persons, clarifying that references to children participating in armed conflicts concerned terrorist organisations that sometimes recruit or exploit minors.
He maintained that the military adhered to professional recruitment standards and did not enlist underage personnel.
The minister said the exploitation of children by terrorist groups further underscored the need to dismantle their networks and rescue vulnerable persons held under their control.
He called on Nigerians to support security agencies by providing credible information, stressing that protecting the country was a collective responsibility that extended beyond military and police operations.
“Security is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not only for members of security forces. Everyone has a role to play,” he said.
Musa also urged citizens to report suspicious activities and misconduct by security personnel, assuring them that complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken.
“Whatever you see that is going wrong, even with our members who are not doing what is right, please don’t hesitate to report. Action will be taken,” he added.
Those at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa (rtd.).
Others were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, also attended the meeting.
