The Nigerian armed forces have made commendable strides in combating terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and various forms of violent crime throughout the country. President Bola Tinubu highlighted these achievements while inaugurating the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Inaugural Annual International Lecture on Thursday in Abuja. The lecture, themed “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options,” was organized by NAN as part of its efforts to address insecurity in the Sahel region and Nigeria.
Represented by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s dedication to restoring stability through both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. He expressed gratitude to the armed forces for their contributions to national security, stating, “We are beginning to restore order. We are beginning to get stability. We are beginning to have a new Nigeria.”
The President noted improvements in safety along major routes, mentioning that the Abuja-Kaduna and Lokoja highways have seen a decrease in mass kidnappings during his administration. He also indicated that order has been restored in the South East, where police stations are operational once more.
Since 2023, there have reportedly been no attacks targeting religious sites or government buildings in key cities like Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Kano. “It is a reminder of how a country has changed in a short period of time, and we are not going to relent,” Tinubu added. He emphasized that for the first time, Nigeria’s borders are open, promoting cooperation with neighboring countries rather than facilitating criminal activity.