Sit-at-Home orders losing effectiveness in South-East, says Ribadu

Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, announced on Thursday that the impact of sit-at-home orders enforced by terrorist groups in the South-East is waning.

This statement was made during his presentation on the security achievements under President Bola Tinubu’s administration at the All Progressives Congress national summit.

Ribadu highlighted that the current administration has inherited a range of security challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, armed banditry in the North-West, secessionist movements in the South-East, unrest in the Niger Delta, and conflicts between herders and farmers in the North-Central region.

He emphasized the progress made by security agencies, stating, “Through coordinated efforts, we have succeeded in curbing mass killings, kidnappings, and the destruction caused by criminal groups across the nation.” He reported that over the last two years, more than 13,543 Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralised, with over 11,000 weapons recovered and destroyed.

Ribadu also shared that since the commencement of the Tinubu administration, 124,408 Boko Haram fighters and their family members have surrendered to security forces. He reassured the public that military operations continue in regions such as the Timbuktu Triangle and Tumbu Islands despite ongoing challenges.

“In the South-East, a welcome development is that the sit-at-home orders are becoming increasingly ineffective,” Ribadu stated, noting that key figures from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been apprehended or neutralised. He added that over 50 police stations have been rebuilt and that attacks on law enforcement have significantly decreased, signaling a return to normalcy in social and economic activities.

In the North-West, Ribadu declared, “It has been a watershed year in the fight against banditry,” highlighting the rescue of 11,250 hostages and a noticeable decline in mass abductions. He affirmed that significant blows have been dealt to notorious bandit leaders, demonstrating ongoing progress in addressing security threats across the country.

Source: PUNCH