At the interactive forum in Arewa House, Kaduna, today, NSA Nuhu Ribadu and CDS General Christopher Musa spoke on the efforts to keep our country safe under the Bola Tinubu presidency.
Ribadu fired the first shot to remind us that Nigeria has been battling with insecurity for over 20 years, with the emergence of Niger Delta agitation, Boko Haram, banditry, and separatist groups, such as IPOB.
“Before we came in, bandits were in control in North-Central and other parts of the North, killing innocent people on a daily basis, burning villages and communities. There were farmer-herder and communal clashes.
“We have traced, identified, and dealt with them.
“Before May 29, 2023, there were high-profile attacks and mass casualties across the country.
According to Ribadu, the Niger Delta issue had been fixed, with crude oil production now over 1.9 million barrel per day from one million before.
“We have stopped those that wanted to divide the country.
“Tinubu instructed the security agencies to work together as one, and we are working together, even with the governors.
“Kaduna now is about 80 percent free; no more bandits.
“We are carrying out operations in Kwara and other states. All security apparati in the country work as a team. Today communities that were gripped with banditry now have relief.”
CDS Musa took over: He expressed the commitment of the armed forces to continue to work and ensure that the Northern region was free and Nigeria was fully secured.
“We will go after any enemy of the state and continue to do that until there is tranquillity and peace in Nigeria.
“Our ways of working are based on collaboration, professionalism, and collective actions, and because we cannot be everywhere, we carry the communities along; security is also about relationships.
“There is also the need to engage our youths fully in activities that will distract them from participating in banditry or terrorism. We have also engage in public awareness.
“The Nigerian Air Force is on top of its game, and so also are other security agencies.
