In Yola, Tinubu Hails NSA Ribadu, Says ‘You’re Defeating Bandits, Terrorists’

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, showered praises on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, describing him as honest, bold, courageous and committed to the task of securing the nation.

Tinubu, who spoke during his visit to Yola, Adamawa State, hailed Ribadu as a worthy son of the soil who had delivered commendable results in the fight against insurgency and banditry across the country.

“I must say it clearly here that you’re doing an excellent job, and we are seeing the result. With you, we will defeat the bandits and terrorists,” the President declared.

He added, “You’re a good National Security Adviser; honest, bold, courageous and committed to the job. I believe the state of Adamawa is strongly, strongly, proud of you, because I am too.”

The President’s glowing endorsement of Ribadu comes amid a raging feud between the NSA and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai had in recent weeks launched a barrage of accusations against Ribadu, alleging that the NSA was involved in the importation of a poisonous chemical into the country.

Also, in an interview, El-Rufai claimed that the ICPC had become “a personal tool” of the NSA and insisted that Ribadu “made the call and ordered” that he must be arrested.

When asked how he knew Ribadu made such a call, El-Rufai replied: “He made the call, because we listen to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways. He made the call, he gave the order.”

Pressed further — “So you tapped his phone calls…?” — El-Rufai answered: “Someone tapped his phone.”

When reminded that wire-tapping was technically illegal, El-Rufai said: “I know, but the government does it all the time… they tap our calls all the time without a court order.”