National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu says the separatist-enforced ‘sit-at-home’ order in the South-East is rapidly losing momentum, with security conditions in the region showing significant progress.
Speaking Thursday at the APC National Summit in Abuja, where the Federal Government presented its two-year scorecard, Ribadu highlighted major gains under President Bola Tinubu’s administration across multiple security flashpoints.
He noted that high-profile figures of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), have been captured or neutralised, leading to a sharp decline in attacks on security personnel. Over 50 police facilities have also been rebuilt, he added.
In the North-West, Ribadu described 2024 as a “watershed year” in the fight against banditry. Over 11,250 hostages have been rescued, while key warlords—including Ali Kachalla and Halilu Sububu—have been eliminated. More than 35 have surrendered under a non-kinetic approach dubbed the “Kaduna Model.”
A similar momentum continues in the North-East, where over 13,500 terrorists have been killed, and more than 124,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and their families have surrendered. Security forces recovered 11,118 weapons and over 252,000 rounds of ammunition.
In the Niger Delta, Ribadu reported a 47% drop in oil theft and vandalism. Nearly 2,000 illegal refineries and thousands of dugout pits and cooking ovens have been destroyed. “For the first time in years, all pipelines are now green—fully operational,” he said. Production now averages 1.8 million barrels per day, with oil production in Ogoniland set to resume after decades.
Addressing emerging cyber threats, Ribadu said the Binance probe triggered a crackdown on crypto-linked criminal activity. A new National Digital Forensic Laboratory is also aiding security agencies, while a national infrastructure protection plan is underway.
Ribadu warned of transnational threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and arms proliferation, worsened by regional instability in the Sahel and climate-driven conflicts.
“Since May 29, 2023, we’ve made measurable progress in stabilising hotspots and restoring public confidence,” he said, stressing the importance of inclusive development and good governance to sustain security gains.
The summit was attended by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, governors, and other party leaders.
