President Bola Tinubu has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation across Nigeria, urging his top security aides to take immediate and decisive steps to end the ongoing violence plaguing parts of the country.
The President issued this stern directive during a high-level security meeting held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. In attendance were the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and heads of various security and intelligence agencies.
During the meeting, Tinubu reportedly declared that “enough is enough,” stressing that the lives and safety of Nigerian citizens must be prioritized. He charged the security chiefs to not only confront the current challenges head-on but also to implement strategic, long-term solutions to restore peace and stability nationwide.
Following the meeting, NSA Nuhu Ribadu addressed journalists at the State House and revealed that all relevant security agencies had been briefed and were already putting the President’s instructions into action.
NSA: President is Actively Involved and Monitoring Developments
Ribadu disclosed that President Tinubu has remained consistently engaged with developments in the security sector—even while traveling—offering guidance and demanding accountability from his team.
“We had an in-depth session with the President today. It was comprehensive and detailed. Mr. President has been closely monitoring the situation and has been giving us directives even while he was away,” Ribadu said.
He noted that the security landscape, while still challenging, has shown signs of improvement. However, he acknowledged that more work must be done to address lingering threats, especially in hotspot states like Benue, Plateau, and Borno.
Terrorist Threats and Community Tensions Still Major Obstacles
The NSA attributed a large portion of recent casualties to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorist elements. He lamented that these cowardly tactics continue to claim innocent lives, undermining efforts to secure volatile regions.
Ribadu emphasized that addressing insecurity requires a multi-tiered approach, involving not only the federal government but also local authorities and community leaders.
“The President instructed us to meet with state governors and local officials in affected areas. Security is not the sole responsibility of federal agencies—it also involves local actors who are closer to the people and understand the underlying tensions,” he said.
Collaboration Across Security Agencies Ongoing
Ribadu assured Nigerians that the country’s security apparatus—including the military, police, and intelligence agencies—is working round the clock to restore peace. He commended the dedication of security personnel, many of whom, he said, are working tirelessly without breaks or holidays to protect citizens.
“We are seeing greater cooperation among state-level authorities and security forces. While the situation is not yet perfect, we are making progress,” Ribadu said.
He cautioned against measuring success solely by isolated incidents, explaining that while relative peace may be disrupted by sporadic attacks, the overall security environment is improving.
A Call for National Unity and Support
The NSA also called on Nigerians to acknowledge the efforts of those who have made sacrifices for national security and urged communities to support security initiatives at the grassroots level.
“We must not forget that even one life lost is too many. But we are on the right path. We won’t relent until peace is fully restored. It’s important for citizens to recognize that progress is being made, and to support the fight against those who seek to destabilize our country,” he said.
Ribadu concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence and delivering a more secure Nigeria for all.
