The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, says Nigeria’s security has improved significantly since President Bola Tinubu came into office in May 2023.
According to him, the administration met the country struggling with serious security problems but has made notable progress over the last two years.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Policy and Development Summit held to commemorate the administration’s two-year anniversary, Ribadu stated that the Tinubu-led government inherited five critical security issues.
These included the insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, separatist violence in the South-East, unrest in the Niger Delta, and clashes between herders and farmers in the North Central region.
The NSA noted that attacks on national infrastructure and mass violence were common occurrences before 2023. He recalled high-profile incidents like the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, the assault on Kuje Prison, and violent raids on communities, churches, and military units in the Federal Capital Territory.
Ribadu pointed out that these events were indicators of how severe the situation had become before the current administration took over.
“Over 35,000 people were killed due to Boko Haram violence, while banditry claimed another 12,000 lives before 2023. Millions were displaced, losing their homes and livelihoods,” he noted.
Ribadu said that stronger coordination among Nigeria’s security forces has helped reduce violence across affected regions. He said challenges like the sit-at-home orders in the South-East and attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta have been tackled head-on. The government has also boosted operations in previously neglected areas, he added.
He revealed that more than 13,500 Boko Haram members have been killed in the past two years. Additionally, security forces recovered and destroyed over 11,000 weapons used by terrorists. He also disclosed that 124,408 insurgents and their family members have surrendered since Tinubu came into power.
Though he acknowledged there were still pockets of resistance in areas like the Tumbuktu Triangle and nearby islands, Ribadu maintained that the military continues to conduct operations aimed at driving out remaining insurgents. According to him, the ongoing efforts show a clear determination by the government to secure all parts of the country.
