TINUBU ORDERS RESCUE OF KIDNAP VICTIMS, SECURITY FOR 2027 ELECTIONS

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to rescue all kidnapped victims across Nigeria and ensure that terrorists and bandits have no camps left in the country.

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

Musa said Tinubu also instructed security chiefs to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to participate in the January 2027 general elections, stressing that the polls must be free, fair and credible.

According to the minister, security agencies have been directed to remain neutral and ensure that no political party or candidate is intimidated during the electoral process.

He also dismissed claims that underage persons were being recruited into the Nigerian military, explaining that the concern was about terrorists using children in their operations.

Musa said the government was strengthening the capacity of security agencies through recruitment, training and the acquisition of new equipment. He disclosed that Tinubu would soon inaugurate about 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters.

The minister also highlighted the recent salary increase for military personnel, noting that the government was working to improve the welfare of police officers, other security personnel and pensioners.

Tinubu approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for about 250,000 armed forces personnel, effective September 1. The adjustment raised the annual salary bill from N660bn to N924bn.

Sources familiar with Thursday’s meeting also disclosed that the President had ordered the deployment of forest guards to territories recovered from terrorists and bandits.

One official explained that military operations often involve clearing occupied areas before troops move elsewhere, leaving some locations vulnerable to reoccupation by insurgents. The forest guards are expected to help secure those territories and prevent the return of armed groups.

The Presidential Forest Guards Initiative was launched in May 2025, following earlier plans to recruit and train personnel to strengthen security in forested areas.

More than 7,000 guards graduated in December 2025 and were deployed to seven states, including Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi. The programme later expanded to 10 states, with additional personnel trained in Kaduna, Edo and Kogi.

The meeting also considered the growing vandalism of electricity infrastructure. An official said the government was working to designate power facilities as critical national assets to enable stronger protection against sabotage.

In October 2024, vandalism of the Shiroro–Kaduna transmission line plunged about 17 northern states into darkness. Tinubu subsequently ordered security protection for repair teams and warned against attacks on public utilities.

Another issue discussed was the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. According to a source, Tinubu directed officials to review possible measures and restrictions to protect Nigerians from the disease.

The recent outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15, 2026. The World Health Organisation subsequently declared a public health emergency of international concern.

Kenya confirmed an imported fatal case on October 6, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said Nigeria had no confirmed case as of that date.

Musa urged Nigerians to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and misconduct by security personnel, stressing that maintaining security was a collective responsibility.

Thursday’s meeting came 90 days before the January 2027 general elections, with the presidential election scheduled for January 16.