The Minister of Defence, General Chris Musa (rts) has assured Nigerians that security agencies will remain neutral during elections and intensify efforts to protect lives, rescue abducted persons and dismantle terrorist and bandit camps across the country.
The minister gave the assurance on Thursday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, alongside heads of security agencies, saying the President had emphasised the need for free, fair and credible elections.
He said security agencies were committed to providing a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their franchise without intimidation or fear.
“All heads of security agencies are here. We had an intensive discussion, and Mr President made it very clear he wants a free, fair and credible election,” he told State House correspondents after the meeting.
“We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote.”
The minister urged political parties to trust the professionalism and neutrality of security personnel, stressing that no party or candidate would be allowed to intimidate others.
“For all other political parties to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral, we’re going to ensure that we give everybody opportunity to go and serve, so they have nothing to worry about, nothing to be afraid of, and nobody is going to intimidate them for whatever reasons,” he said.
Addressing allegations that the Armed Forces were using underage children, the minister described the military as a professional institution and denied that underage persons were being recruited into its ranks.
He said the allegations appeared to relate to terrorists using underage children, adding that the military would continue efforts to eliminate terrorist hideouts and rescue victims of abduction.
According to him: “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 terrorist or bandits anywhere in Nigeria.”
The minister said the Federal Government remained committed to strengthening security operations, adding that President Tinubu had continued to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Responding to a question on the urgency of protecting lives ahead of the elections, he listed increased recruitment, training exercises and equipment procurement among measures being taken to address security challenges.
He disclosed that the President would soon commission newly acquired aircraft and helicopters, which he put at approximately 10.
“Despite the economic issue, the issue of security is in the front burner of Mr President’s view,” he said.
The minister also welcomed the recent salary increase for members of the Armed Forces, expressing hope that similar concerns affecting police personnel and other security workers had been addressed, including those of pensioners.
He said the President wanted Nigerians to benefit from ongoing efforts to improve security and national wellbeing. Authority.
