National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, says the once-feared sit-at-home orders imposed by secessionist agitators in the South-East are rapidly losing their potency, thanks to sustained military operations and strategic counter-insurgency efforts by the federal government.
Ribadu made the assertion on Thursday during a presentation at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Policy and Development Summit in Abuja, where he gave an overview of President Bola Tinubu’s security achievements since assuming office in 2023.
He identified five major security challenges the administration inherited: Boko Haram terrorism in the North-East, violent banditry in the North-West, the secessionist campaign by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East, youth militancy and oil theft in the Niger Delta, and the persistent herder-farmer clashes in the North-Central.
“In the South-East, we are witnessing a dramatic shift. The effectiveness of sit-at-home orders has declined sharply. Fear is giving way to normalcy,” Ribadu said.
He attributed the improvement to the arrest and neutralisation of high-ranking IPOB/ESN commanders, the rebuilding of over 50 police stations and numerous police posts previously destroyed in attacks, and a marked decline in assaults on security operatives.
“Markets are open, public institutions are functioning, and daily life is gradually returning to normal in the region,” the NSA added, describing the shift as one of the most encouraging indicators of peace efforts under the Tinubu administration.
On the war against terrorism in the North-East, Ribadu provided significant figures to support the government’s claims of success. He revealed that over 13,543 Boko Haram fighters have been killed over the past two years, with 11,000 weapons recovered and destroyed. In addition, a staggering 124,408 Boko Haram and ISWAP members—including fighters and their families—have surrendered to the Nigerian military since 2023.
“Key terrorist enclaves like the Timbuktu Triangle and Tumbu Islands are being cleared. Our military continues to dismantle their logistics and operational bases,” he said.
Ribadu also spotlighted the administration’s gains in the North-West, where mass abductions and violent raids by bandits once destabilised communities. He announced that 11,250 hostages had been rescued and several high-profile bandit leaders—including Ali Kachalla, Boderi, Halilu Sububu, Dangote, Isuhu Yellow, and Damuna—had been taken out.
“These breakthroughs are not isolated. They are the results of coordinated intelligence, inter-agency collaboration, and an evolving strategy that goes beyond firepower,” he said, adding that the administration was also engaging regional partners to cut off cross-border arms smuggling and bandit mobility.
He acknowledged, however, that some pockets of resistance and instability remain, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas. But he assured that the government is unwavering in its mission to restore lasting peace across all geopolitical zones.
“President Tinubu’s commitment to security is total. We are building confidence among citizens, supporting law enforcement agencies, and sending a clear message to those who threaten our national unity: the era of impunity is over,” Ribadu concluded.
The APC summit served as a platform for the ruling party to review its policy track record and reinforce its development agenda across various sectors. Ribadu’s presentation was one of several aimed at showcasing government efforts to tackle insecurity and rebuild trust between citizens and the state.
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