Tinubu Orders Security Chiefs to Rescue Abducted Persons, Destroy Terrorist Camps Nationwide

President Bola Tinubu has directed heads of security agencies to rescue all abducted persons and ensure that no terrorist or bandit camp remains anywhere in Nigeria ahead of the January 2027 general elections.

 

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (retd.), disclosed this on Thursday after a security meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

 

Musa said the meeting was convened to review the country’s security situation ahead of the elections, with all heads of security agencies in attendance.

 

According to him, Tinubu directed security agencies to intensify operations to locate and rescue abducted persons wherever they are being held.

 

“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,” the minister said.

 

Musa added that the President had directed security agencies to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to participate in the elections, assuring political parties that security personnel would remain neutral.

 

“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.

 

He added that all political parties would be given equal opportunities to participate without intimidation.

 

“It is important for all other political parties to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral,” Musa stated.

 

The defence minister also dismissed suggestions that underage persons were being recruited into the Nigerian Armed Forces, clarifying that concerns about the use of children related to terrorist groups.

 

“There is nobody that is underage that is being brought here. I think the discussion that was made was that the accusation was on the terrorists using underage,” he said.

 

Musa maintained that the government would continue efforts to dismantle terrorist strongholds and prevent armed groups from operating freely across the country.

 

On efforts to strengthen the operational capacity of the security agencies, he disclosed that Tinubu would soon inaugurate about 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters.

 

“Mr President is coming to commission a set of new aircraft and helicopters that have been bought. I think almost about 10 of them in number, and to show Nigerians that despite the economic issue, the issue of security is on the front burner of Mr President’s view,” he said.

 

The minister also highlighted improvements in the welfare of security personnel, citing the recent salary increase for members of the Armed Forces and ongoing efforts to address the welfare of police officers, personnel in other security agencies and pensioners.

 

“Nobody is going to be left behind,” he said.

 

On August 4, Tinubu approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for approximately 250,000 Armed Forces personnel, effective September 1. Privates to staff sergeants received the highest increase of 80 per cent, while officers above the rank of colonel received a 30 per cent increase.

 

The adjustment raised the annual salary bill for military personnel from N660bn to N924bn.

 

In October 2025, the Defence Ministry announced that 24 aircraft, including 10 AW109 Trekker helicopters and M-346 fighter jets, were being built for Nigeria by Italian defence company Leonardo for delivery in four batches.

 

Musa urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing useful information and reporting misconduct by security personnel.

 

“Security is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not only for members of security forces. Everyone has a role to play,” he said.

 

He added that complaints about wrongdoing by security personnel should be reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation and action.

 

Those at Thursday’s meeting included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.).

 

Also in attendance 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 Aneke; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi.

 

The meeting comes ahead of the January 2027 general elections, with the presidential election scheduled for January 16.