Abdulganiyu Azeez reports
The Former Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission and Special adviser to the President of Nigeria on security, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on Thursday, 18 April, has encouraged Nigerians to utilize Nigerian roads for their travels.
This statement was made during the Convocation lecture, titled ‘Navigating the Maze: Addressing Multidimensional Insecurity Challenges in Northern Nigeria,’ at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, at the University auditorium.
The event witnessed dignitaries like His Royal Eminence Amirul Mu’minin Sheikh As-Sultan Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, the representative from Niger State government, the representative from kebbi state government, the Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Prof. L.S Bilbis and the likes.
Mallam Ribadu stated that Nigeria faces insecurity challenges across all six geopolitical zones. This insecurity takes various forms, including insurgency, terrorism, communal clashes, banditry, kidnapping, and piracy, which is fuelled by deep rooted socio-economic, ethnic, and religious tensions.
“Alongside this,an alarming rise in arms and drugs trafficking significantly compounds regional insecurity, with intricate cross – border networks facilitating the illegal arms and drugs trade. This proliferation of weaponry has not only amplified the region’s conflicts but also poses significant challenges to peace and stability efforts,” he said.
Mallam Ribadu mentioned that the Tinubu administration has presented holistic steps in his ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda and empowerment for the unemployed in tackling the underlying insurgency and the unsafe roads have now become free from terrorism.
“The Tinubu administration in its Renewed Hope Agenda, provided a holistic framework that seeks to comprehensively address various aspects of insecurity. This agenda includes provisions for bolstering security forces, implementing community -based security initiatives, promoting socio economic development, and fostering inter-communal dialogue to address grievances and foster reconciliation.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government aims to tackle the underlying causes of insecurity by addressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, social marginalization and ethnic tensions. By implementing targeted interventions and reforms, the government seeks to create an environment conducive for peace and stability in Northern Nigeria.
” President Tinubu was deliberate in appointing northerners to top security positions, aiming to involve those with proximity to the issues in crafting solutions. This role is not a tea party; it is a demanding job that requires dexterity, hard work, and consensus building across security and political structures. The figures we encountered in terms of both attacks and casualties in May 2023 were heart wrenching. Since the coming of this administration, we have not had any organized terrorism attack. Most of the roads hitherto unsafe for commuters are today secure for travelers at any time.”
He further boasted that since assuming office, the current administration has successfully freed over a thousand individuals, many of whom were villagers held captive for as long as two to three years. The Nigeria government is adopting counterinsurgency strategies aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the local population, isolating insurgents from their support base,and preventing the recruitment of new members.