The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, provided lawmakers in the upper legislative chamber with an overview of the outcomes achieved by security agencies in addressing the challenges of insecurity in the country.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had requested the NSA’s briefing through a resolution of the chamber last week, convening a meeting with security chiefs and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.
Akpabio expressed concern about the increasing insecurity in various states and in Abuja, emphasizing the Senate’s determination to intervene and address the security challenges.
During the meeting, the NSA, along with Minister of Interior Tunji Ojo, Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, Finance counterparts, and service chiefs, took turns discussing with Nuhu Ribadu. They highlighted that the efforts of security agents had successfully thwarted any major terrorist attacks since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May of the previous year.
A lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed: “The NSA told us that about 20 gun-running networks were demobilised, while over 5,000 military-grade weapons were seized and destroyed by government agencies.”
According to Ribadu, kidnapping and banditry have translated into economic crimes in recent times due to pressure from security agents, while he expressed the hope, that they will eventually end in a short time.
The lawmaker quoted Ribadu as having said that, there was a significant increase in oil production in South-South and relative peace in the South-East region of the country.
“The Chief of Air Staff also gave an excellent account of how the air component of the war complements the work of troops on the ground.
“He mentioned how they killed two key leaders of bandits, Ali Kachalla and Yellow Janburos, and how that has helped to halt the interstate movement of bandits and logistics, especially around Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara States,” the lawmaker said.
According to him, the Inspector General of Police also spoke about rooting out criminals in the suburbs of Abuja and how his men have checkmated activities of one-chance criminals in the capital city.
Despite the satisfaction expressed by most lawmakers in their contributions, others pointed out areas of operational lapses that deserve attention and urged the service chiefs to ensure harmony and cooperation for maximum success.
The Minister of Finance was told to expedite the release of funds as soon as they were due.
