The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, have highlighted significant achievements recorded by the Federal Government in addressing insecurity since the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The duo spoke during a plenary session at the ongoing two-day Interactive Session on Government–Citizens’ Engagement in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Ribadu: Nigeria’s Security Situation Has Improved Remarkably
Ribadu gave an overview of Nigeria’s security challenges prior to May 29, 2023, noting that the country had struggled with insecurity for over two decades.
“Before we came in, bandits were in control of the North-Central and other parts of the North, killing innocent people weekly, burning villages, and displacing entire communities,” he said.
“There were high-profile attacks and mass casualties nationwide. But we believed Nigeria had to be secured first.”
He listed Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping, separatist agitations (including IPOB), herder-farmer clashes, and the Niger Delta militancy among the challenges the administration inherited.
According to him, the situation in the Niger Delta has been significantly addressed, with crude oil production rising from one million barrels per day to over 1.9 million.
“We have stopped those that wanted to divide the country,” Ribadu stated.
“President Tinubu directed all security agencies to work as one, and today, we’re seeing results. Kaduna, for example, is now about 80% free from banditry.”
He noted that operations were ongoing in other states like Kwara, while many communities once gripped by violence now experience relief.
Ribadu also disclosed that repentant bandits are being offered opportunities to reintegrate, while others are either in custody or undergoing serious investigations.
“Areas like Kandawa, Dubali, and Sabon Gari are now secure. You can drive freely across Kaduna—something unthinkable two years ago.
The President has given us a clear mandate: restore order and give Nigerians their lives back,” Ribadu added.
Musa: Armed Forces Will Continue to Pursue Enemies of the State
In his remarks, Gen. Christopher Musa reaffirmed the armed forces’ dedication to ridding the country of insecurity and restoring peace.
“We will go after every enemy of the state until peace and stability are fully restored,” he said.
Musa emphasized that collaboration, professionalism, and community involvement remain key pillars of the military’s operations.
“We can’t be everywhere at once, so we involve the communities. Security is also about relationships.
There’s a need to engage our youths meaningfully to prevent them from falling into the trap of banditry or terrorism,” he noted.
He praised the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for their commitment, while acknowledging challenges such as porous borders.
“We appeal to communities along border areas to help by reporting criminal elements that cross into our territory,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gen. Musa also highlighted military successes in other parts of the country, reinforcing the government’s determination to secure all regions through sustained and inclusive security strategies.
