President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued new directives to security and intelligence chiefs to restore peace and stability in parts of the country plagued by violent attacks.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), informed reporters of this during a press briefing on Wednesday following an urgent security and intelligence gathering session held at the Presidential villa in State House, Abuja.
The top-tier gathering brought together several key figures including: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mohammed Mohammed; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Gen. Emmanuel Undianeye; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
“It was a very detailed and exhaustive briefing session with Mr. President. He has been closely monitoring developments, even while away, and today we had the opportunity to fully update him. He listened attentively and gave new directives. He is deeply committed to achieving peace and security across the country,” Ribadu said.
According to the NSA, the President directed the security agencies to step up coordination with local authorities in areas currently experiencing insecurity, particularly Plateau, Benue, and Borno States.\xa0
He stressed that combating insecurity requires working together with local-level stakeholders.
“Insecurity is not just a federal government issue. It involves sub-units, state and local governments, because they are closest to the people.
” Mr. President has instructed us to work more closely with governors, traditional rulers, and community leaders, especially where issues are rooted in local conflicts,” Ribadu noted.
The NSA mentioned that security and intelligence leaders had carried out recent trips to the unstable areas at the President’s request, engaging with political and community representatives to evaluate conditions personally and apply suitable measures.
“He [President Tinubu] emphasized that the time for action has come. He is eager to witness tangible outcomes. Every arm of law enforcement—the military, police, and intelligence agencies—are actively engaged around the clock. While all issues may not be completely addressed yet, considerable progress has indeed been achieved,” Ribadu noted.
Even as he recognized ongoing difficulties, especially in the North-East where fragments of terrorist organizations still operate, Ribadu highlighted that the character of instability is changing and that strategies should stay flexible.
“Borno State has recently experienced an increase in attacks, largely because of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) placed by insurgent groups. These malevolent individuals take advantage of moments when peace seems assured. However, we have dedicated personnel—both men and women—who work around the clock, often at great personal cost to their rest, families, and well-being, all for the safety of our nation. We must recognize their hard work,” he stated.
Ribadu encouraged Nigerians to reflect on the advancements in security during the previous year, noting that although each life lost is profoundly grieved, the general direction continues to be optimistic.
According to him: “security is relative. You compare what was happening before and what is happening now. We are not where we want to be yet, but we are moving forward. We will not relent until we achieve lasting peace.”
Ribadu finished by emphasizing the dedication of every security agency to follow the President’s instructions and maintain a safe environment for all Nigerians.
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