President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to remain politically neutral during the 2027 general elections and intensify operations to protect voters, across the country.
The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after a security meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Musa said the meeting, attended by heads of the military, intelligence and other security agencies, reviewed national security challenges and measures to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He said Tinubu had emphasised the need for a free, fair and credible election, with security personnel providing a safe environment for citizens to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation or interference.
Beyond electoral security, the minister said the President directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue all abducted persons and deny terrorists and bandits safe havens across the country.
He said the government would not tolerate the continued existence of terrorist or bandit camps, adding that coordinated operations would be sustained to address insecurity.
Musa also dismissed allegations that the Nigerian Armed Forces recruited or deployed underage children, explaining that the controversy appeared to relate to the exploitation of minors by terrorist groups.
On efforts to strengthen military operations, he disclosed that the President would soon commission about 10 aircraft and helicopters acquired to enhance the Armed Forces’ operational capacity.
He added that the government was investing in recruitment, training, equipment and personnel welfare as part of efforts to improve national security.
