Kaduna | July 30, 2025
At an interactive forum held on Tuesday at Arewa House in Kaduna, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, jointly addressed the progress made in securing the nation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
NSA Ribadu painted a detailed picture of Nigeria’s security trajectory, noting that the country has grappled with various internal security challenges for over two decades, including militancy in the Niger Delta, Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and secessionist agitations. He said that before the current administration assumed office in May 2023, the country was riddled with widespread insecurity and high-profile attacks.
“Bandits were in control in the North-Central and other parts of the North, killing innocent people, burning villages. Farmer-herder clashes and communal conflicts were rampant,” Ribadu recalled. “Today, we have traced, identified, and dealt with many of these threats. Kaduna is now about 80 percent free; there are no more bandits.”
He attributed the turnaround to President Tinubu’s directive for a unified security front, encouraging collaboration across all security agencies and state governments. Ribadu also reported success in the Niger Delta, citing a significant boost in crude oil production from one million barrels per day to over 1.9 million.
According to him, “We’ve stopped those who wanted to divide the country. Our operations now extend to Kwara and several other regions, and there is a new synergy in the security architecture.”
Taking the floor, CDS General Musa reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining peace, particularly in northern Nigeria. He said the Nigerian Armed Forces are guided by professionalism, unity, and community collaboration in their approach to security.
“We will go after any enemy of the state. Our strategy involves collective actions and active engagement with communities. Security is not just about weapons, it’s about relationships and trust,” he said.
General Musa stressed the need for youth engagement, noting that creating opportunities and raising awareness are essential steps in preventing recruitment into terror and criminal networks.
He added, “Our armed forces are more coordinated than ever. The Nigerian Air Force and other agencies are fully operational and playing crucial roles in safeguarding our country.”
The forum offered a platform for reflection and reassurance to the public, with both officials maintaining that, while challenges remain, the government is firmly in control and determined to restore peace and order across all regions.
