President Bola Tinubu has directed heads of security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to freely participate in next year’s general election, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.) said Thursday.
The Minister in an interview with reporters after a meeting between Heads of Security Agencies and the President at the presidential Villa, Abuja assured that the Armed Forces and other services will remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
The Defence Minister explained that the meeting focused on election security, counter-terrorism, kidnapping and the protection of civilians.
According to him, President Tinubu made it clear that he wants “a free, fair and credible election,” and that security agencies must do everything necessary to guarantee that Nigerians can go out and vote without fear.
“We had an intensive discussion, and Mr. President made it very clear he wants a free, fair and credible election,” General Musa said.
“We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote.”
He assured political parties and candidates that the security forces would not be used to intimidate or disadvantage any group.
According to him, all parties would be given equal opportunity to campaign and participate in the polls.
“The security forces are going to be neutral. We are going to ensure that we give everybody opportunity to go and serve, so they have nothing to worry about, nothing to be afraid of, and nobody is going to intimidate them for whatever reasons,” he said.
The Minister also dismissed suggestions that the Armed Forces was recruiting or deploying underage children, describing the military as a professional institution. He said the allegation concerned terrorists, whom he accused of using minors.
“There is nobody that is underage that is being brought here. The discussion that was made was that the accusation was on the terrorists using underage. We know that we don’t have control over what they do, and that’s why it’s important for us to understand that we must not allow them remain wherever they are,” the Minister added.
General Musa said the President had ordered the security agencies to intensify operations to rescue abducted and kidnapped citizens and to deny terrorists and bandits any safe haven anywhere in Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
“There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorist or bandits anywhere in Nigeria.”
The Minister also said the government had strengthened recruitment, training and procurement in the security sector.
He disclosed that the President would soon commission nearly 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters for the Armed Forces.
He also referenced the recent salary increase for military personnel, saying the welfare of security personnel and pensioners remained a priority of the administration.
President Tinubu had earlier approved pay increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for about 250,000 Armed Forces personnel, effective September 1, 2026.
“Despite the economic issue, the issue of security is in the front burner of Mr. President’s view. Nobody is going to be left behind,” General Musa added.
The Defence Minister urged Nigerians to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activity, including misconduct by security personnel.
He said security was a collective responsibility and that reports would be acted upon.[thenationonlineng]
“Security is everybody’s responsibility. It is not only for members of security forces,” he said.
“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,” General Musa noted.
