Under NSA Nuhu Ribadu, both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were applied to tackle the security challenges in Nigeria. Inter-agency synergies are now a key in the security architecture. Furthermore, the police is being reformed to effectively play its role in internal security, while the military is being freed from the burden of performing both its constitutional role and that of the police, thus allowing the military to fully concentrate on external security.
Under NSA Nuhu, it is so far, excellent.
Reports and analysis indicate that the security agencies are doing very well throughout the country.
Jonathan Ndifreke’s analysis in the Tribune Newspaper captured it perfectly.
“The military has neutralised 817 terrorists, apprehended 1,326 criminals, and rescued 721 hostages in different operations across the country. Those apprehended include 42 kidnappers, 231 terrorists’ collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rail vandals, 73 gunrunners, and 191 suspected oil thieves.
“A total of 4,560 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in the North-East during the period. The troops also recovered 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition, and 674 other pieces of equipment within the period under review. In the North East, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 240 terrorists, arrested 276 terrorists and collaborators, and rescued 147 kidnapped hostages, as well as surrendered 4,560 combatant fighters and their families to troops.
“They also recovered 169 assorted weapons, 1,195 assorted ammunition, and 199 other items, comprising 57 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, 2 HK21 rifles, one FN rifle, one G3 rifle, one pistol, 22 Dane guns, one double barrel, 73 AK47 magazines, and three hand grenades.
“Also recovered were two LMG magazines, one RPG tube, two tear gas launchers, 674 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 500 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 20 PKM rounds, one cartridge, two vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 47 bicycles, 18 mobile phones, 13 steering rods and pumps, five gear boxes, and 158 livestock.
“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 94 terrorists, arrested 477 suspects, and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered 82 assorted weapons and 760 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown includes 20 AK47 rifles, five revolvers, 27 fabricated rifles, six fabricated pistols, 13 Dane guns, five pistols, two pump actions, six AK47 magazines, 523 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 190 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 31 rounds of 9mm ammo, 18 cartridges, and 1,722 livestock.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 104 suspects, and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages. They also recovered 37 weapons, 68 assorted ammunition, and 127 items, including two AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, five locally fabricated pistols, two Dane guns, one pistol, 15 AK47 magazines, two G3 magazines, two FN magazines, one GPMG barrel, one Ak47 barrel, three rifle butts, and one locally fabricated bullet.
“Furthermore, the troops recovered four woodland camouflages, 15 motorcycles, nine mobile phones, six vehicles, five cutlasses, two pairs of black boots, one fragmental jacket, one generator set, three knives, two machetes, and one saw and metal. In the North-West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 248 terrorists, arrested 116 suspected terrorists, rescued 359 kidnapped hostages, and recovered a total of 67 assorted weapons, 926 assorted ammunition, and 160 other incriminating items. In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 69 combatants, arrested 191 oil theft collaborators, and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages.
“Security agents also intercepted 6.6 million litres of stolen crude oil, 3.5 million litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO), 188,650 litres of kerosine, and 65,600 litres of petrol. The troops also discovered and destroyed 249 boats, 28 pumping machines, and three vessels, as well as recovered a total of 51 assorted weapons.
In the South East, the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 80 combatants, arrested 162 IPOB/ESN criminals, and rescued 109 kidnapped hostages. The troops also recovered 63 assorted weapons, 320 assorted ammunitions, and 166 other incriminating items within the period under review.”
When he assumed office, Mallam Nuhu said the Tinubu government would work to not only stabilise the country but also do what ought to be done for the peace of the country. He said, “We will stabilise 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 and restore order and rule of law just like any other country in the world.”
Silently and interestingly, NSA Nuhu is building a strong interface among all the security agencies. Roles are being defined to allow seamless work to achieve one goal: the peace of the country and its people. Mallam Nuhu is piloting and overseeing the security through the eyes of an well-trained security czar that understands both the hard and soft approaches
Weldone, Dan Fulani
Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja
