President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised across Nigeria in the past year, while terror-related deaths have declined by 81 per cent since 2015.
The President made the disclosure on Friday during his nationwide broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary, his fourth address since assuming office in 2023.
Highlighting the administration’s security achievements, Tinubu said Nigeria has significantly improved its counterterrorism operations through enhanced collaboration with international partners and the adoption of precision-targeting strategies.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting,” the President stated.
He cited a recent military operation in Arege, Borno State, where security forces successfully degraded a major command centre belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” Tinubu said.
The President attributed the gains to increased investment in the nation’s security architecture, noting that the Federal Government had prioritised funding for defence and law enforcement agencies.
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According to him, the 2026 budget includes a record allocation of N5.41 trillion for defence and security, the largest security expenditure in Nigeria’s history.
Tinubu also revealed that more than 50,000 new police officers have been recruited, while thousands of military personnel have been enlisted as part of the government’s security emergency measures aimed at strengthening the capacity of security agencies.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to tackling insecurity across the country and protecting lives and property.
“Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” he said.
The remarks come amid ongoing military operations against insurgents, bandits and other criminal groups operating in different parts of the country, particularly in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
Despite the reported improvements, security challenges including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence continue to pose significant threats to communities across Nigeria, prompting calls for sustained efforts to consolidate recent gains.