- President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised across Nigeria in the past year, while terrorism-related deaths have declined by 81 percent since 2015.
- Speaking during his Democracy Day national broadcast, the President highlighted recent security gains, including operations against terrorist groups, the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers, and a record N5.41 trillion allocation for defence in the 2026 budget.
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that more than 13,000 terrorists were killed across Nigeria in the past year, while terror-related deaths have dropped by 81 per cent since 2015.
The President made the revelation on Friday during his national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day celebration, his fourth address since assuming office in 2023.
Highlighting the government’s security achievements, Tinubu said Nigeria has moved beyond basic military training partnerships with allies such as the United States, France and other European countries to carrying out precision operations against terrorist groups.
According to him, one of the major successes was the degradation of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) command centre in Arege, Borno State.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting,” Tinubu said.
“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.”
The President attributed the gains to increased investment in security, noting that the 2026 budget contains a record N5.41 trillion allocation for defence, the largest security budget in Nigeria’s history.
He also revealed that more than 50,000 new police officers have been recruited, alongside thousands of military personnel, under what he described as a national security emergency.
“Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” he added.
Tinubu’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges affecting different parts of the country.
The President maintained that his administration remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and protecting citizens through increased funding, recruitment and strategic military operations.
