National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s assumption of office in May 2023 saved Nigeria from collapse. Speaking during the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 18th Regular Course, Ribadu described the nation’s dire security and economic condition before Tinubu’s tenure, highlighting terrorism, banditry, and separatist violence as serious threats to national unity.
He reported major successes in the fight against insecurity, stating that over 13,500 terrorists have been neutralised in the North East, and 120 bandit leaders eliminated in the North West and North Central regions. Ribadu also said oil production in the Niger Delta improved significantly from 1 million barrels per day to 1.8 million, reversing years of economic instability caused by pipeline vandalism and militancy.
Ribadu outlined grim statistics from before Tinubu’s tenure, including over 35,000 lives lost to Boko Haram, 12,000 killed by bandits, and more than a million children forced out of school. He also cited devastating attacks in 2022 and 2023, including the Kaduna train bombing, Kuje prison break, and widespread police station destruction by separatists in the South East.
The NSA noted that current government actions have yielded results. Over 124,000 Boko Haram fighters and family members have surrendered, while illegal refineries are being dismantled across the Niger Delta. He added that security is improving in the South East through military operations and rebuilding efforts, with over 50 police stations restored and key separatist leaders neutralised.
