13,000 terrorists killed, Terror-related deaths down by 81% since 2015 — President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year, while terror-related deaths across Nigeria have declined by 81 per cent since 2015.

The President made the disclosure on Friday during his national broadcast marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day celebration, his fourth Democracy Day address since assuming office in 2023.

According to Mr Tinubu, Nigeria’s security strategy has evolved from relying primarily on training partnerships with international allies to executing precision-targeted operations against terrorist groups.

“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting.

“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 stated.

Record security budget and recruitment drive

Mr Tinubu attributed the reported security gains to increased government investment in defence and law enforcement.

He disclosed that the 2026 national budget earmarked a record ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, representing the highest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.

The President also highlighted the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel under what he described as a national security emergency response.

“Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” he added.

Focus on counter-terrorism operations

The President referenced recent military operations against the Islamic State West Africa Province, including the reported degradation of a command centre in Arege, Borno State.

Nigeria has continued to face security threats from insurgent groups, bandits, kidnappers and other armed criminal networks, particularly in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.

The latest figures presented by the President formed part of his administration’s assessment of security progress during the Democracy Day celebration.