By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – In one of the strongest security declarations of his presidency, President Bola Tinubu announced a new national counterterrorism doctrine that classifies all armed groups operating outside state authority as terrorists.
This includes bandits, militias, armed gangs, kidnappers, violent cult groups, and foreign-linked mercenaries.
He made the declaration on Friday while presenting the ₦58.18 Trillion 2026 Budget to the joint session of the 10th National Assembly titled; “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience And Shared Prosperity.”
Presenting the 2026 budget, the President said the new security framework is anchored on unified command, intelligence-led operations, and community stability.
He warned that financiers, ransom negotiators, political protectors, arms suppliers, and even community or religious leaders who aid violent groups would also be treated as terrorists.
The 2026 budget allocates ₦5.41 trillion to defence and security, aimed at modernising the armed forces, strengthening border surveillance, and improving intelligence-driven policing.
Precise Post recalls that before the budget presentation by the President, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had in his welcome address, appealled to President Tinubu to rescind his policy that banned the deployment of Police officers as security guards to the lawmakers. According to Akpabio, lawmakers have complained to him that they would not be able to travel to their constituncies without police protection due to the level of insecurity.
