Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs in Preparation for the 2027 Election

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday ordered security chiefs to go after kidnappers and bandits until every abducted Nigerian is freed.

The President gave the directive at the State House in Abuja during a meeting that lasted about five hours.

The meeting focused on the country’s security situation ahead of the 2027 general election.

Tinubu also told the service chiefs to make sure the election is free, fair and credible.

“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,” Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa said.

Security Chiefs Assure Nigerians Ahead Of January 2027 Polls

The January 2027 election was a key subject at the meeting.

Musa said Tinubu wants a safe space for Nigerians to vote.

“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,” he said.

He added that the security forces will stay neutral.

“And so, we want to assure Nigerians that we are committed. We are determined to ensure that we provide safety and security for all Nigerians,” he said.

“Everyone should come out and vote. Vote for whoever they want.”

The defence minister also warned political parties against intimidating 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,” Musa said.

“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 that nobody is going to intimidate them for whatever reasons.”

New Aircraft, Police Pay, And Underage Soldier Claims

The meeting drew the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam.

Others were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Idi Abbas, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, also attended.

Also present were the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

Musa said Tinubu will soon inaugurate about 10 new aircraft and helicopters to boost aerial surveillance.

He added that the President plans to extend the new salary structure to police officers, paramilitary personnel and pensioners.

On claims that the military recruits underage soldiers, Musa said the allegation was about terrorists using children.

“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 the underage,” he said.

Musa asked Nigerians to report suspicious activities and misconduct by security personnel.

He said keeping the country safe needs everyone’s support.