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President Bola Tinubu has directed heads of security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to participate freely in the January elections, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa (retd.) has said.
Musa disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after a security meeting presided over by Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the meeting was convened to brief the President on the security situation across the country and review preparations ahead of the elections.
According to the minister, all heads of security agencies attended the meeting, during which Tinubu emphasised the need for a free, fair and credible electoral process.
“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,” Musa said.
Security agencies promise neutrality
The Defence Minister assured Nigerians that security personnel would remain neutral during the elections and would not allow political actors or voters to be intimidated.
He said all political parties would be given the opportunity to participate in the electoral process without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Musa urged political parties and their supporters to understand that security agencies would carry out their responsibilities impartially.
He also called on Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent crime and improve public safety.
Tinubu orders rescue of abducted persons
The minister said the President had also directed security agencies to intensify operations to rescue abducted persons and dismantle the camps of terrorists and bandits operating across the country.
According to him, the directive requires security agencies to work towards locating and rescuing all kidnapped victims, regardless of where 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,” he said.
Musa also dismissed suggestions that underage persons were being recruited into the Nigerian armed forces, explaining that concerns raised about children being used in armed activities related to terrorists.
He said the government remained committed to confronting armed groups and preventing them from maintaining operational bases in the country.
Government to commission new aircraft
On efforts to strengthen the country’s security capacity, Musa said the government was increasing recruitment, training and equipment procurement for the armed forces.
He disclosed that Tinubu would soon commission about 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters as part of efforts to improve military operations.
The minister said the planned commissioning demonstrated the administration’s continued attention to security despite the country’s economic challenges.
Musa also referred to the recent salary increase for members of the armed forces, adding that measures to improve the welfare of police personnel, other security agencies and pensioners were being addressed.
He assured Nigerians that the government intended to ensure that personnel responsible for protecting the country received improved welfare support.
NSA, service chiefs attend meeting
The meeting was attended by 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 present were the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye.
Other participants included the 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 Oluwatosin Ajayi.
Musa reiterated that security was a collective responsibility and urged citizens to report criminal activities and misconduct by security personnel.
He said complaints about wrongdoing by security officers should be reported to the appropriate authorities, assuring Nigerians that necessary action would be taken.
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