From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Policy Summit, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu presented a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security landscape from 2023 to 2025, highlighting significant progress and ongoing threats.
He described the pre-2023 era as marked by severe attacks, displacement, and casualties, driven by Boko Haram in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist unrest in the South East, Niger Delta instability, and herder-farmer clashes in the North Central.
Ribadu reported that before May 2023, Boko Haram claimed over 35,000 lives, banditry killed 12,000, and a million children were out of school by 2021. High-profile incidents included the Kaduna train attack, Owo church massacre, and Kuje prison break.
In Kaduna, 2021 saw 1,192 deaths and 3,348 kidnappings, while Benue and Plateau faced mass displacement. The South East lost 164 police stations, and Niger Delta oil production dropped to 1 million barrels per day (bpd).
Ribadu outlined gains under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In the North West, security forces freed 11,250 hostages, neutralised 70 deputy commanders, and saw 35 warlords surrender via the Kaduna Model. In the North East, 13,543 terrorists were neutralised, 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters surrendered, and 11,118 weapons were recovered.
The Niger Delta’s oil output rose to 1.8 million bpd in 2025, with 1,978 illegal refineries dismantled.
In the South East, sit-at-home orders weakened, 50 police stations were rebuilt, and attacks dropped. Cybersecurity efforts targeted cryptocurrency crimes, with a new digital forensic lab aiding investigations.
Ribadu acknowledged persistent challenges, including Sahel instability, ISWAP threats in the Lake Chad Basin, and cybercrime. He emphasised collaboration, stating, “Security is everybody’s business. Governments at all levels and security services must deliver on our mandates to better secure our country.”
He credited Tinubu’s leadership and initiatives like the National Park Services for progress.