President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria’s security forces eliminated more than 13,000 terrorists within the last year, noting that fatalities linked to terrorism have declined significantly since 2015.
The President disclosed this on Friday during his nationwide broadcast to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
Highlighting the government’s efforts in the fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the country had recorded notable successes through improved military operations and enhanced collaboration with international partners.
According to him, security agencies have moved beyond basic training programmes with allied nations to deploying intelligence-driven and precision-based operations against criminal groups.
“We have moved from training with our allies, including the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting of criminal elements,” Tinubu said.
The President cited a recent military operation in Borno State, stating that security forces successfully dismantled a key command centre belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province in Arege.
He added, “Terror-related deaths have fallen by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised within the past year.”
Tinubu attributed the progress to increased investment in the nation’s security architecture, including enhanced funding for defence and the expansion of security personnel.
He noted that the 2026 Appropriation Act earmarked N5.41tn for defence spending, describing it as the highest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
The President also revealed that more than 50,000 police personnel had been recruited, alongside thousands of military personnel, as part of measures aimed at strengthening the country’s response to security threats.
“Our administration remains determined to do even more to secure lives, property and the territorial integrity of our nation,” he added.
Tinubu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to confronting terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes, assuring Nigerians that efforts to restore peace and stability across the country would be sustained.