Federal Gov’t Surmounting Inherited Security challenges — NSA

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that  President Bola Tinubu-led administration remained firm in surmounting inherited security challenges threatening the nation’s unity and future.

He emphasised a shift in the national security architecture where veterans remain vital components.

Ribadu stated this at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 18 Regular Course held in Abuja on Friday.

The NSA in a lecture titled: “Veterans As Significant National Assets,” said  Nigeria stood at a dangerous crossroads in 2022, grappling with multiple crises that threatened its unity, stability, and future.

He said the challenges range from the insurgency-ravaged North-East to the blood-soaked valleys of the North-West, the turbulent Niger Delta to separatist tensions in the South-East.

According to the NSA, government has made bold strides in restoring security and rebuilding national confidence.

“When this administration took office in May 2023, Nigeria was facing five intractable security challenges.

“We have Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, deadly banditry across the North-West and North-Central, resurgent separatist violence in the South-East, large-scale oil theft in the Niger Delta, and communal clashes that had claimed thousands of lives.

“Additionally, porous borders, transnational crime, and climate-induced resource conflicts created a near-perfect storm of instability.

“The government’s counterinsurgency campaign has led to over 13,500 terrorists and criminals neutralised, and more than 124,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families have surrendered.

“Weapons’ caches and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been recovered.

“Areas once held by insurgents in the Sambisa Forest, Lake Chad Basin, and Tumbuktu Triangle are now under government control,” he said.

The NSA added that the North-West which had been ravaged by bandits was witnessing changes, adding that over 11,250 hostages had been rescued in Zamfara and Kaduna States.

He added that notorious warlords such as Ali Kachalla, Halilu Sububu, and Dogo Bwari had been neutralised, with more than 50 criminal leaders and dozens of their deputies taken out of circulation.

According to Ribadu, non-kinetic strategy, including the innovative Operation Safe Corridor North-West, has also led to the surrender of 35 armed leaders.

“This was once unimaginable, but through coordinated military pressure and community-based peace efforts, we are making real progress,” he said

In the Niger Delta, Ribadu said government had reclaimed control of the nation’s lifeblood in the region once plagued by massive crude oil theft and sabotage.

He stressed that oil production had increased from a historic low of one million barrels per day to an average of 1.8 million as a major economic boost.

According to him, all major pipelines are now operational and protected, while over 1,900 illegal refineries have been dismantled.

“For the first time in three decades, oil production is resuming in Ogoniland,” he said.

In the South East, the NSA said through surgical operations and community engagement, the zone is seeing relative calm.

“The so-called “sit-at-home” orders by separatist agitators have significantly waned, and many arrested key figures are facing justice.

“Social and economic life is beginning to return to normal. Rebuilt police stations and renewed law enforcement presence are restoring confidence,” he added.

NSA said that modern threats were also being addressed, adding that Nigeria has made headway in cyber defence and financial intelligence.

According to him, illegal financial flows (IFFs) supporting terrorism and separatism, ,particularly through crypto platforms, have been disrupted.

He said that a National Digital Forensics Laboratory and a Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan has also been deployed to boost national cyber resilience.