National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu announced today that Nigeria has experienced a significant reduction in terrorist attacks across the country under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Speaking at the two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens Engagement in Kaduna, Mr. Ribadu attributed this success to President Tinubu’s directive for a unified security approach, issued on his first day in office.
The forum, organized by the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, aimed to assess President Tinubu’s performance in the northern region during the first half of his term.
Mr. Ribadu highlighted the pervasive security challenges that plagued almost all six geopolitical zones prior to the current administration. He provided an update on the progress made in different regions:
Northwest: Several banditry leaders have been eliminated, leading to a gradual return of peace. Security operations in the region have also resulted in the release of 11,259 hostages as of May.
Southeast: Secessionist agitation, particularly by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been largely subdued through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, significantly reducing related killings.
North-central: Tit-for-tat killings between pastoralists and farming communities have decreased, with official figures from the Benue State government cited as evidence. Mr. Ribadu noted that over 5,000 people had lost their lives in Benue State during the previous administration.
Kaduna State: Mr. Ribadu commended Governor Uba Sani for initiating non-kinetic approaches to insecurity, which he said has led to relative peace in the state. He contrasted this with the previous administration, during which Kaduna State recorded 1,192 deaths and over 3,348 kidnappings.
The NSA emphasized that the improved synergy between various security agencies has been a crucial factor in the recorded successes against criminalities.
