Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), recently made a bold claim that Nigeria is currently more secure than it was before the Tinubu-led administration took power. Speaking at a one-day All Progressives Congress (APC) summit in Abuja, Ribadu emphasized that despite the recent Boko Haram attacks in Borno State, Nigeria is standing strong and facing its security challenges head-on. The NSA attributed the attacks to the resurgence of Jihadi activists in the Sahel region, highlighting the severe security threats faced by countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Ribadu pointed out that the Tinubu administration inherited five major security challenges, including Boko Haram in the North East, banditry in the North West, secessionist agitations in the Southeast, Niger-Delta unrest, and communal conflicts in the North Central. He revealed that over 35,000 individuals were affected by the Boko Haram crisis, while 12,000 were impacted by banditry, leading to millions of people becoming homeless in the affected areas. Despite these challenges, Ribadu commended the security agencies for their efforts in addressing issues such as the sit-at-home orders in the South East and sabotage of oil installations in the Niger Delta.
In the past two years, Ribadu shared that over 13,543 Boko Haram elements were neutralized, and more than 11,000 arms were recovered and destroyed from the terrorists. He also mentioned that 124,408 Boko Haram fighters and their families surrendered to troops since the current administration took office. While acknowledging some setbacks, Ribadu assured that operations are ongoing in various regions to eliminate insurgents and restore peace and stability. Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Nigeria is making progress in combating security threats under the current administration. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like there’s still a long way to go in ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
