National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the insecurity in the country, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is tackling the security challenges confronting Nigeria.
Ribadu, who on Monday told military officers at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 that President Tunubu inherited a bankrupt country, said though he was not condemning anyone, the reality was that the present administration inherited tough times, stating that the country needs is the cooperation of all to ensure the Federal Government eliminates all forms of insecurity in the country.
Speaking on insecurity in Nigeria during the ongoing 19th Annual Nigerian Editors Conference in Uyo on Thursday with the theme: “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media,” the NSA said there has been a lot of improvement in the security situation of the nation, stressing that all hands must be on deck to surmount insecurity challenges.
According to Ribadu: “We are all in this together, as a National Security Adviser, you want to hear about national security. We have been there about five months a few days into the office. We have given Nigeria to President Bola Tinubu to manage it for us.
“In the last five months, I have been there by his side and have seen how things were and how things are when we started, and hopefully the direction we are going is okay.
“We inherited a tough period. We appeal for patience and understanding. It’s tough times and that is the reality. We are not condemning anyone but that is the truth. Those who are in charge must say the truth, say it as it is, and then hopefully things will be better for you
“Like I said, my coming is to identify with you. I also appeal to you for support, we are going through tough times. It requires all of us to come together. We are all in it together, it is not going to be for too long. Is a matter of time, it will be better. ”
Ribadu noted that the improvement in security shows that militancy in the Niger Delta had been reduced drastically from what it used to be while in the South East, the insecurity has also been reduced since this administration came on board, appealing that it will get better.
“Let me start with the Niger Delta, at the time we took over, the production of crude oil was 1.1 mbd. Today crude oil production is over 1.7 mbd. We have witnessed three weeks without any incident of security challenges in the Niger Delta. This is the first time since 1993, that we don’t talk.
“In the South East, when we took over last year we had 46 police stations attacked, today we don’t have one single one. In the last two months, not a single person had been killed through violent attacks in the southeast, we don’t talk. The leadership we have in our country does understand things a bit better. Work more talkless,”
He said the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to improve the welfare of its citizens and remain transparent in doing government business.
“This government is rather the most transparent ever in the history of Nigeria so things publicly. Honestly, we will be sincere and do our best.