President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify operations against kidnappers and terrorists while guaranteeing a safe and politically neutral environment for Nigerians during the 2027 general election.
The directive followed a five-hour security meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, where the President reviewed the country’s security situation and preparations for the January 2027 polls.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting, saying Tinubu had made it clear that the security agencies must protect voters and prevent political intimidation throughout the electoral process.
According to him, the President insisted that Nigerians must be able to exercise their voting rights without fear, regardless of their political affiliations or preferred candidates.
“We 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,” Musa said.
He assured political parties and candidates that security personnel would remain neutral, warning that no individual or group would be allowed to intimidate political opponents.
“The President wants the atmosphere to be free, and it’s important for all other political parties to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral,” the minister said.
Beyond election preparations, Musa said Tinubu had ordered security agencies to make the rescue of abducted Nigerians a priority, directing them to track down kidnappers and dismantle terrorist and bandit camps across the country.
“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped wherever they are. There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” he added.
The meeting brought together the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and the heads of the military services and intelligence agencies.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Undiandeye.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), were also present.
Musa reaffirmed the military’s commitment to tackling insecurity and called on citizens to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and misconduct by security personnel.
He also rejected allegations that the Nigerian military was recruiting underage personnel for combat operations, saying the claims had been misinterpreted and that the concern related to terrorist groups using children.
In a related development, the minister disclosed that Tinubu would soon inaugurate about 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters to strengthen aerial surveillance and support security operations.
He further said the President intended to extend the new salary structure to police officers, other paramilitary personnel and pensioners, although he did not provide details of the proposed implementation
