As the battle against insecurity in Nigeria moves forward, Nigerians are urging the various security forces in the country to collaborate and ensure the safety of lives and properties. Many Nigerians, who have praised the appointment of Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nuhu Ribadu, as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, succeeding Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd), believe that synergy among the security heads and unity will make the country a more secure place to live.
Nigerians and the international community have high expectations for Mallam Ribadu and the security chiefs, not only to curb insecurity and restore calm in the country but also to rebuild the damaged reputation of the Nigerian defense structure.
Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central, stated that Nigerians anticipate a different approach from the new National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in order to achieve better outcomes in the fight against insecurity. Sani made this statement on his verified Twitter account, urging Ribadu to put an end to terrorism, banditry, killings, and kidnappings across the country.
The Kaduna lawmaker also called on Ribadu to ensure the protection of schools and farmers from terrorists.
The former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Army, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, described the new NSA and service chiefs as highly capable individuals who are well-suited to their positions.
He said, “In my opinion, the President made excellent choices of officers who can assist him in fighting insecurity in Nigeria. As the Chairman of the House Committee, I had the opportunity to know the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen C.G. Mwusa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen T.A. Lagbaja. They have held command positions and are highly esteemed in the Nigerian Army. I have been informed that the other two service chiefs are also highly professional. With the addition of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser, I believe they will help the President achieve the desired results. As far as I am concerned, these men are well-suited to their positions.”
In terms of Ribadu’s appointment as NSA, Namdas stated that selecting a police officer as National Security Adviser is not unprecedented.
Issa Aremu, the director-general of the Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, expressed hope that Ribadu’s appointment as the nation’s NSA will further deepen the security sector reform initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking at the sidelines of the 2023 Ilorin Emirate Durbar, Aremu congratulated Mallam Ribadu as the 10th NSA and stated that he is eminently qualified for the role of advising the President on national security matters based on his experience and capacity.
The Coalition of Northern Groups also commended the appointment of Malam Nuhu Ribadu as the NSA, viewing it as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring adequate security for citizens.
The group described the appointment as a perfectly fitting choice, stating that Ribadu possesses rare qualities of fortitude and strength of character as a universally acknowledged security expert.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Youths Education and Development has advised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, against keeping the current leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.
Peter Etolor, the convener of the group, wrote a letter to Ribadu, asserting that retaining the current leadership of PAP would undermine President Bola Tinubu’s transformative new hope agenda.
Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, a former Niger Delta agitator, expressed his belief that Ribadu will introduce innovations that will elevate the nation’s security apparatus to a commendable level.
Ribadu, during a brief event in Abuja on Monday, expressed his dedication to meeting the expectations of Nigerians and ensuring the safety and security of the country.
“We will stabilize this country, we will secure our country and we will make Nigeria peaceful because we believe the time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order, and uphold the rule of law just like any other country in the world. ‘This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians and all friends of Nigeria’, Ribadu concluded, as reported by the NSA Office.” Ribadu stated upon assuming office.
The newly-appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, was born in Yola, Adamawa State, on November 21, 1960.
He attended Aliyu Mustapha Primary School, Yola, from 1966 to 1973, and Yelwa Government Secondary School, Yola, from 1973 to 1977. Between 1978 and 1980, Mr. Ribadu studied at the College of Preliminary Studies, CPS, Yola, for his A-level studies.
In 1980, he gained admission to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to study law, graduating in 1983. Mr. Ribadu obtained his law degree from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984. He joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) immediately after completing his national youth service.
Mr. Ribadu holds an LLM degree with a focus on the jurisprudence of corruption in Nigeria from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 2008, he attended the Harvard Business School where he completed a program on the strategic management of law enforcement agencies.
As a trained lawyer and fearless crime fighter, Mr. Ribadu has established himself as a patriotic, passionate, honest, courageous, and compassionate individual.
He is the pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the government commission tasked with combating corruption and fraud, which he transformed into one of the most effective and renowned anti-graft agencies in modern history. However, his major contribution to the anti-corruption crusade was his selflessness, resilience, and exemplary conduct in the fight against corruption.
Under his leadership, the EFCC built the most celebrated Crimes Training and Research Institute in the West African region within three years. The agency also achieved over 200 criminal convictions.
Ribadu was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in March 2007. He was also appointed to the advisory board on anti-corruption matters by the African Union (AU), and invited to join the advisory board of the Friends of the World Bank/UNODC initiative on Stolen Asset Recovery.
Discussing the appointment of a non-military individual as NSA, a public analyst, Musa Balogun, stated, “When you look at other countries around the world, National Security Advisers are not necessarily military personnel. The office is not exclusively for the military. However, since we have been accustomed to military individuals in that position since 1999, it is presumed that it must be held by a military person.”
“The battles we are fighting are mostly with fellow Nigerians. We are not battling external forces. Therefore, the essential instruments needed to defeat terrorism in Nigeria are the police and secret service personnel because it is an internal conflict. The National Security Adviser (known formally as the Assistant to the President on National Security Affairs) in the United States of America, whose presidential system served as a model for Nigeria’s presidential system, coordinates defense, foreign affairs, international economic policy, and intelligence. This job description demonstrates that national security encompasses more than just military security and includes foreign affairs, international economic policy, diplomacy, and increasingly technological policy. It also suggests that the individual occupying this office is well-versed in a practical approach to creating, enhancing, and maintaining peace in the nation.”