Nigeria’s security agencies under the quality leadership of Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser (NSA) have recorded a tremendous feat in the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in the country in the 100 days of President Bola Tinubu in office.
Under Ribadu’s leadership as National Security Adviser (NSA), who is also a former police officer, the fight against both external and internal security witnessed a boost.
Recall that Tinubu appointed Ribadu, a pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as NSA on June 19, 2023, with a charge to work together with the security agencies to restore security and order in the country.
Ribadu assured the president that security agencies will accomplish the objective of securing the country as well as re-establish peace and stability.
As the NSA, Ribadu is responsible for advising the president on all matters relating to the security of Nigeria and its citizens. He will also coordinate the activities of the various security agencies and intelligence services under his supervision. Some of these include the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
In the last three months, the country’s military neutralised 817 terrorists, apprehended 1,326 criminals, and rescued 721 hostages in different operations across the country.
Those apprehended include 42 kidnappers, 231 terrorists’ collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rail vandals, 73 gunrunners, and 191 suspected oil thieves.
A total of 4,560 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in the Northeast during the period. The troops also recovered 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition, and 674 other equipment within the period under review.
In the North East, the troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 240 terrorists, arrested 276 terrorists and collaborators, and rescued 147 kidnapped hostages, as well as surrendered 4,560 combatant fighters with their families to troops. They also recovered 169 assorted weapons, 1,195 assorted ammunition, and 199 other equipment, comprising 57 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, 2 HK21 rifles, one FN rifle, one G3 rifle, one pistol, 22 dane guns, one double barrel, 73 AK47 magazines, and three hand grenades. It also includes two LMG magazines, one RPG tube, two tear gas launchers, 674 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 500 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 20 PKM rounds, one cartridge, two vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 47 bicycles, 18 mobile phones, 13 steering rod and pumps, five gear boxes and four boafeng radios and 158 livestock.
In the North Central, the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 94 terrorists, arrested 477 suspects, and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered 82 assorted weapons and 760 assorted ammunition. The breakdown includes 20 AK47 rifles, five revolvers, 27 fabricated rifles, six fabricated pistols, 13 dane guns, five pistols, two pump actions, six AK47 magazines, 523 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 190 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 31 rounds 9mm ammo, 18 cartridges and 1,722 livestock.
The troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 104 suspects, and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages and also recovered 37 weapons, 68 assorted ammunition, and 127 items and recovered two AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, five locally fabricated pistols, two dane guns, one pistol, 15 AK47 magazines, two G3 magazines, two FN magazines, one GPMG barrel, one Ak47 barrels, three rifle butts, and one locally fabricated bullet.
In addition, troops recovered four woodland camouflage, 15 motorcycles, nine mobile phones, six vehicles, five cutlasses, two pairs of black boots, one fragmental jacket, one generator set, three knives, two machetes, and one saw and metal. In the North West, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 248 terrorists, arrested 116 suspected terrorists, and rescued 359 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a total of 67 assorted weapons, 926 assorted ammunition, and 160 other incriminating items. In the South-South, the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 69 combatants, arrested 191 oil theft collaborators, and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. The troops also intercepted 6.6 million litres of stolen crude oil, 3.5 million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 188,650 kerosine, and 65,600 litres of petrol.
The troops also discovered and destroyed 249 boats, 28 pumping machines, and three vessels, as well as recovered a total of 51 assorted weapons. In the South East, the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 80 combatants, arrested 162 IPOB/ESN criminals, and rescued 109 kidnapped hostages. The troops also recovered 63 assorted weapons, 320 assorted ammunitions, and 166 other incriminating items within the period under review.
The achievements recorded by Nigeria’s security agencies may not have been possible without the efforts and leadership qualities of Ribadu.
