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President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will intensify security operations in 2026 and deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to confront terrorism, banditry, and other criminal threats across the country.
In his New Year message to Nigerians, Tinubu said while economic reforms remain necessary, progress must be matched with improved security and lasting peace.
“My fellow Nigerians, the path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary,” Tinubu stated. “We remain mindful that economic progress must be accompanied by security and peace.”
Tinubu said Nigeria “continues to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements determined to disrupt our way of life” but noted that recent operations had recorded progress.
“In collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24,” Tinubu said, adding that the Armed Forces have since “sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and Northeast.”
He said security and intelligence agencies would “deepen cooperation with regional and global partners” in the new year to eliminate threats to national security.
“We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and the territorial integrity of our country,” Tinubu said.
As part of larger security reforms, the president also reaffirmed his support for decentralised policing, claiming that it is essential to combating localised insecurity.
“I continue to believe that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, is critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.”
