President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of new equipment for the armed forces and other security agencies to enhance the fight against terrorism and banditry across the country, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed.

Musa, who briefed State House correspondents after a nearly two-hour security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, said the President remained committed to supporting security agencies in their operations against insurgents.

“The President has promised more equipment for us to be able to protect the nation, and we assure victory,” Musa stated.

However, he did not specify the type or quantity of equipment approved by the President.

Rather, he explained that the meeting, which was the first attended by the new Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, since his appointment, was convened to brief the President on the current security situation following recent attacks on military formations.

“The mission of the meeting actually is just for us to review events. We came in here for the services to brief Mr President on the current situation on the ground.

“You know that there have been a series of attacks, and the security forces have actually risen to the occasion,” he said.

He disclosed that the briefing was necessary to ensure the President had accurate information about ongoing operations, noting that media interpretations sometimes did not reflect the full picture.

“We know sometimes interpretation, especially through the media, has not been too direct.

“We felt we should put this record straight, which we have done, and we are glad that Mr President has continued to support the armed forces and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency,” Musa stated.

The Defence Minister appealed to Nigerians not to be discouraged by reports of attacks, assuring that terrorists and bandits were suffering more casualties than security forces.

“Our appeal to Nigerians is not to get tired, not to be discouraged, because sometimes when you hear the news, you think it is just what is happening, but it is not. It’s far from that.

“The terrorists, the bandits, are taking more casualties. Their commanders are being killed,” he said.

Musa acknowledged that Nigeria had lost courageous officers and men in recent operations, describing the casualties as “highly regrettable.”

The former Chief of Defence Staff said, “We have lost a number of very, very courageous officers and men. Highly regrettable, but we want to assure Nigerians of the commitment we are putting on the ground to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure.”

In recent weeks, insurgents have intensified attacks on military positions in Borno State, including assaults on Ngoshe, Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, resulting in casualties among security personnel and civilians.

In the past week alone, the military lost at least three commanding officers in charge of forward operations bases following a surge in attacks on security formations and personnel.

The attacks prompted strong responses from both President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who vowed to deploy overwhelming force to end the insurgency.

Musa attributed the recent spike in terrorist activities to the Ramadan period, explaining that insurgents believed dying during the holy month would guarantee them paradise.

“It is normal with terrorists during the Ramadan period. For them, they feel when they die, they are going to heaven, so they are ready to commit any offence or to get killed, because they feel they have a reward to do,” the defence minister explained.

He assured Nigerians that the military had adjusted its strategies and was recording successes against the terrorists.

“As I said, we have adjusted our strategies. You can see in the past few days, we’ve taken over those locations. We’ve killed their commanders, we’ve taken over their assets. We’ll continue to do more,” Musa stated.

When asked about the persistent insecurity despite military efforts, the minister said war naturally involves fluctuations but assured that the tide was turning in favour of security forces.

“As I said, it is war. And you know, war comes in and out. But Mr President has approved so many things that are coming on our line, and we’re working together as a team.

“You can see all members of the security forces are here to assure Nigerians and to assure Mr President that we’re on track and will succeed,” he said.

The Thursday meeting, which lasted nearly two hours and ended at approximately 5:10 pm, was attended by all service chiefs and heads of security agencies, marking the first such gathering since Disu assumed office as IGP on February 28, 2026.

Our correspondent observed that the security chiefs arrived at the Villa without their usual official vehicles, making identification difficult, but they were spotted as they departed the forecourt after the meeting.

In attendance were the Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Ajayi; Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Minister of Defence Gen Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye.

The meeting comes amid heightened security concerns across the country, particularly in the Northeast, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents have maintained pressure on military positions.

During an Iftar dinner with service chiefs on March 6, President Tinubu had assured the military of his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism despite the Borno attacks.

Vice President Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, also declared that the administration would end the insurgency with overwhelming force.

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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, recalling their early professional relationship while serving under President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

Disu spoke at the pulling-out ceremony held in honour of Egbetokun at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, marking the retirement of the former police chief after decades of service in the Nigeria Police Force.

In his remarks, Disu described Egbetokun’s career as one marked by dedication, professionalism and strong leadership, noting that a defining chapter in the former IG’s career was his service as Chief Security Officer to the Lagos State Governor at a time when Tinubu was in office.

He said it was during that period that their professional paths first intersected.

“A defining chapter in his professional life was his service in Lagos State Government House, where he served as Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Lagos State, at a time when His Excellency, Senator Bola  Tinubu, now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was Governor.

“It was during that period that our professional paths intersected in a most memorable way.

“While IGP Egbetokun (retd.) served as Chief Security Officer to the governor, I had the honour of serving as Aide-de-Camp to the same governor.

“Working together under demanding circumstances, we shared the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of the Governor and the Government of Lagos State,” Disu said.

The police chief said neither of them could have imagined at the time that years later, Egbetokun would rise to become the Inspector General of Police and that he would eventually succeed him in the same office.

According to him, the development reflected how years of service and dedication sometimes align in unexpected ways.

“At that time, neither of us could have imagined that years later, destiny would place him at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force as Inspector General of Police, and that I would have the honour of succeeding him in that office.

“It is indeed one of those remarkable coincidences of history that reminds us how the threads of service sometimes weave themselves across time in unexpected ways,” he said.

Disu noted that throughout his career, Egbetokun rose steadily through the ranks, serving in various command, operational and training capacities across the country.

He highlighted Egbetokun’s leadership roles, including commanding the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, Police Mobile Force operations, and serving as Area Commander in Osogbo and Gusau.

The IGP also commended Egbetokun’s contributions to police training and capacity development, citing his service as Commandant of the Police Training School, Ikeja, and later as Deputy Commandant of the Police College, Ikeja.

He said Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector General was guided by a vision to build a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law-compliant and people-friendly police force.

According to him, the former police chief implemented reforms to strengthen operational efficiency, enhance professionalism, improve personnel development, and deepen public trust in policing.

Disu added that Egbetokun emphasised intelligence-driven policing, strengthened training and reinforced institutional values such as discipline, accountability and service.

He further noted that Egbetokun’s leadership style, characterised by calmness, intellectual depth, and strategic foresight, helped guide the Nigeria Police Force through complex security challenges during his tenure.

In his speech, Egbetokun highlighted key reforms and institutional improvements achieved during his tenure as the Inspector-General of Police.

According to him, his administration pursued reforms to reinforce professionalism, promote merit-based advancement, and strengthen intelligence-led policing.

He noted that as part of the reforms, the Intelligence Bureau was expanded and upgraded to a full department headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, while the Legal and Medical units were elevated to directorate status to improve institutional efficiency and service delivery.

Egbetokun also said the Force further developed its cybercrime centre into a sophisticated facility capable of monitoring Nigeria’s cyberspace and supporting modern investigations.

He added that investigative and operational capacity was strengthened through improvements to the National Criminal Database and enhanced professional training for operators across commands up to the divisional level.

The former police chief said operational presence was expanded through the establishment of additional Police Mobile Force squadrons, new Area Commands and Divisions, as well as the creation of the Special Intervention Squad, which he said had recorded notable successes across the country.

He also said progress was made in improving police infrastructure, including the completion of barracks redevelopment projects in Kano and Kaduna and the commissioning of modern state command headquarters in Ogun and Adamawa states.

Egbetokun, who was appointed on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu, resigned on February 24, paving the way for the appointment of Disu.

In 2024, the IG’s continued stay in office sparked widespread controversy after Egbetokun officially reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 on September 4.

However, his stay in office was extended following the amendment to the Police Act.

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a nearly two-hour security meeting with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking the first of such gathering since Tunji Disu assumed office as Inspector-General of Police.

Our correspondent observed that the security chiefs, who arrived at the Villa without their usual official vehicles, making identification difficult, departed the premises at approximately 5:10pm after extensive deliberations with the President.

The service chiefs and the IG were identified by our correspondent as they left the forecourt following the closed-door meeting.

The session comes amid heightened security concerns across the country, particularly the recent killings of military commanding officers in various theatres of operation.

In the past week alone, the military lost at least three commanding officers in charge of forward operating bases following a surge in attacks on security formations and personnel, especially in the North-East where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents have intensified assaults on military positions.

Notable among recent incidents was the attack on Ngoshe in Borno State, which resulted in abductions, as well as separate assaults on Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, all in Borno State.

The attacks prompted responses from both President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who vowed to deploy overwhelming force to end the insurgency.

During an Iftar dinner with service chiefs on March 6, President Tinubu had assured the military of his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism despite the Borno attacks.

“Nigeria will defeat terrorism despite these attacks. We will not bow to insurgents,” the President had stated.

Vice President Shettima, in a statement signed by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha, declared that the administration would end the insurgency with overwhelming force.

The Thursday security meeting is Disu’s first formal engagement with the President and service chiefs since his appointment as IGP on February 28, 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor.

As of the time of filing this report, details of the discussions at the security meeting had not been disclosed to the media.

However, PUNCH Online understands the meeting likely addressed the recent spike in attacks on security personnel, vulnerable communities in the North-East, and coordination among security agencies.

In a separate development, President Tinubu on Thursday summoned the Director-General of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Dr Olubunmi Kuku, for the second time in one week.

Our correspondent spotted the FAAN DG entering the Villa premises while the security meeting with service chiefs was still in session on Thursday afternoon.

The summons comes barely a week after the President suspended the cashless payment system at airport toll gates nationwide following widespread gridlock that caused passengers to miss flights.

On Wednesday, March 5, Kuku had met with the President hours after the suspension was announced, arriving at the Villa at approximately 5:45pm in the company of the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had announced after the Federal Executive Council meeting that President Tinubu directed the immediate suspension of the cashless system following complaints about traffic congestion at Lagos and Abuja airports.

“Mr. President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were losing their flights, missing their flights.

“So Mr. President, out of empathy, directed today that we should suspend the present system because it creates a lot of gridlock,” Keyamo had stated.

The President directed the ministry to engage private sector participants to develop a more efficient payment system that eliminates cash without causing gridlock.

Thursday’s meeting with the FAAN DG may be connected to progress on implementing the hybrid system that allows both cash payments and prepaid cards while a permanent solution is developed.

FAAN, as the operator of toll gates and collection points at airports nationwide, is central to implementing any revised payment system.

The cashless system was designed to replace a cash collection practice of over 50 years that had been prone to fraud and under-remittance of revenues to the federal government.

As of the time of filing this report, the FAAN DG was still at the President’s office.

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