President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has recorded a major improvement in its security situation, revealing that terrorism-related deaths have dropped by 81 per cent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
The President disclosed on Friday during his 2026 Democracy Day nationwide broadcast, where he addressed the country’s security challenges and outlined measures being implemented to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping across various regions.
Tinubu acknowledged that recent incidents, including abductions in Oyo and Borno states, had caused concern among Nigerians, but insisted that the setbacks would not deter his administration from intensifying efforts to restore peace and security nationwide.
According to him, the government has adopted a more intelligence-driven approach to military operations, resulting in significant gains against insurgent groups operating in different parts of the country.
“Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” the President stated.
He further disclosed that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered under the Operation Safe Corridor programme since 2023, describing the initiative as a critical component of the government’s strategy to weaken insurgent networks and promote rehabilitation.
Tinubu also highlighted recent military successes, including targeted operations against terrorist strongholds and command structures, particularly those linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Arege, Borno State.
As part of broader security reforms, the President said his administration had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel to strengthen security operations nationwide.
He added that the Federal Government allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, describing it as the highest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with security threats ranging from the Boko Haram insurgency and ISWAP activities in the North-East to banditry, communal violence, and kidnapping-for-ransom operations in other parts of the country.
In response to rising cases of abduction, the Federal Government last year designated kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, a move aimed at strengthening legal and security responses to organised criminal networks.
The administration has also pursued measures to improve policing across the country, including the redeployment of officers previously attached to VIPs and the recruitment of additional personnel to underserved communities.
Last month, Tinubu directed the country’s top security chiefs to Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The President also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to enhance security surveillance in the state.
Despite the government’s reported gains, concerns remain over the scale of kidnapping and violent crime. Recent data from security analysts indicate that thousands of Nigerians have been abducted in recent years, with billions of naira paid as ransom to secure the release of victims.
Tinubu, however, maintained that ongoing security operations, increased funding, and personnel recruitment would further strengthen the country’s capacity to confront emerging threats and safeguard lives and property.
