“Security Is Everywhere Now” — NSA Ribadu Declares Nigeria Free of Kidnapping, Farmers and Clinics Resuming Normalcy

Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, has boldly proclaimed that the country has turned a corner on insecurity, stating that Nigerians can now travel freely without fear of kidnapping or violence. Speaking at the inauguration of the Joint Doctrine and Welfare Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Ribadu emphasized that safety has become “omnipresent” across the nation—highlighting the resurgence of farming, business activities, and reopened clinics.

Ribadu drew a stark comparison between the current security environment and the dire conditions before the Tinubu administration began in May 2023. He noted that regions like Kaduna, Lokoja, and even historically troubled Southwest corridors are now accessible to civilians, with checkpoints lifted and travel restrictions eased.

Detailing his office’s strategic achievements, Ribadu pointed to an 80% success rate in anti-kidnapping operations since late 2022—crediting the establishment of the Multi‑Agency Anti‑Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) under the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a turning point. He urged citizens to avoid ransom payments, noting that rescue efforts have succeeded without it, signaling a bold shift in enforcement tactics.

To counter violent extremism and revive rural economies, Ribadu highlighted coordination with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and a newly signed MoU focused on securing farms and boosting food supply. He estimated that insecurity had disrupted the livelihoods of upward of 150 million Nigerians, and praised the collective efforts now leading to renewed community resilience.

Ribadu acknowledged ongoing security challenges, including remnants of terrorism and banditry. However, he insisted these groups are now being contained: “Terrorists and insurgents are being defeated,” he declared, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to rebuilding democracy and law and order through coordinated security measures.

Despite the measured tone of Ribadu’s speech, critics urge a cautious interpretation. Recent reports indicate that over 47,000 people lost their lives to insecurity in northern Nigeria before May 2023, raising questions about the sustainability of these gains.

Ultimately, Ribadu emphasized that while perfection remains elusive, the security recession has effectively ended. “Citizens now reclaim their lives,” he concluded—painting a picture of Nigeria in progress, where fear is in retreat, livelihoods are recovering, and clinics stand ready to serve once more.