President Bola Tinubu has directed heads of security agencies to rescue all abducted persons and eliminate terrorist and bandit camps across Nigeria, Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has said.
Musa disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after a security meeting presided over by Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the President also directed security chiefs to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to participate in the January 2027 general elections.
According to the minister, the meeting was convened to review the country’s security situation ahead of the polls, with heads of security agencies in attendance.
“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,” Musa said.
He added that Tinubu was committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections, assuring political parties that security agencies would remain neutral and prevent intimidation during the electoral process.
“The security forces are going to be neutral,” the minister said, adding that all political actors should be able to participate without fear.
Musa also dismissed suggestions that underage persons were being recruited into the Nigerian Armed Forces, explaining that concerns about children being used in conflict related to terrorist groups. He stressed the need to dismantle their camps and prevent them from operating freely.
On efforts to strengthen national security, the minister cited increased recruitment, training and equipment procurement. He disclosed that Tinubu was expected to commission about 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters as part of efforts to improve operational capacity.
Musa also highlighted the recent salary increase for military personnel, saying the government was addressing welfare concerns involving the police, other security agencies and pensioners.
“Nobody is going to be left behind,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing useful information and reporting misconduct by personnel, stressing that security was a collective responsibility.
“Whatever you see that is going wrong, even with our members that are not doing what is right, please don’t hesitate to report. Action will be taken,” he said.
Those present at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
Also in attendance were the service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, the directors-general of the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services, and other senior security officials.
The meeting comes ahead of the January 2027 general elections, with the presidential poll scheduled for January 16. The government has identified security and the welfare of personnel as priorities in preparations for the elections.
In August, Tinubu approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for about 250,000 armed forces personnel, effective September 1. The annual salary bill was expected to rise from N660bn to N924bn, with personnel from the ranks of private to staff sergeant receiving the highest increase.
Separately, the Defence Ministry disclosed in October 2025 that 24 aircraft, including AW109 Trekker helicopters and M-346 fighter jets, were being built for Nigeria by Italian company Leonardo for delivery in four batches.
