…read riot act to terrorists, declare zero tolerance for sabotage
The Federal Government on Thursday signaled a renewed, aggressive offensive against insecurity, with the newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), vowing to do whatever it takes to restore peace, while National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu warned that any attempt to undermine the nation’s territorial integrity would face decisive force.
The twin declarations from the nation’s top security chiefs came as President Bola Tinubu swore in General Musa as the substantive Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, filling the vacuum left by the resignation of Mohammed Badaru on health grounds.
Speaking to State House correspondents immediately after his inauguration, General Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, assured Nigerians that his tenure would be defined by rapid, measurable improvements in national security.
Acknowledging the current wave of kidnappings, banditry, and terror attacks, the Minister stated that President Tinubu has given a clear mandate, citizens must feel safe in their homes, schools, and farms.
“My immediate task is to ensure that the defence sector fully delivers for the country,” Musa declared. “We must foster synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies, and the Nigerian people. Security is everyone’s business. We will act decisively, and Nigerians will see results quickly.”
Musa, whose nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, expressed gratitude for the public support he has received, promising to repay that trust with tangible stability.
“I assure Nigerians that I will work whatever it takes to keep the nation safe. Everyone must be part of the process to make Nigeria safer and stronger under the Renewed Hope programme,” he added.
Simultaneously, at a high-level dialogue in Abuja organized by the National Peace Committee and the Kukah Centre, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, issued a stern warning to criminal elements, declaring that the state would no longer tolerate those who exploit communities or spread terror.
Ribadu revealed that despite the challenging security landscape, the Federal Government has successfully secured 775 convictions in terrorism-related prosecutions, a statistic he cited as proof of the judiciary and security sector’s determination.
“Each conviction represents not just a statistic, but a life restored and a community stabilised,” Ribadu said.
The NSA painted a grim picture of the regional security crisis, noting that Nigeria currently stands as the “only functioning democracy in the entire Sahel region,” a status he insisted must be jealously guarded against destabilizing forces.
“Let me be clear: the Nigerian state remains fully committed to law, order, and the protection of citizens. Anyone individual or group who exploits communities, spreads terror, or attempts to undermine national unity will face coordinated and decisive action,” Ribadu warned.
He urged Nigerians not to surrender to despair, adding, “We will defeat terror. We will restore order. We will not give up, and we will not surrender.”
The hardline stance adopted by the security chiefs received strong backing from the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa where he represented the Sultan of Sokoto at the swearing-in ceremony, Bishop Kukah welcomed Musa’s appointment as a signal of renewed commitment to ending the reign of terror.
Responding to the call for stronger punitive measures against terrorists, Kukah said, “Decisive action is long overdue. We must flush out those threatening peace. We need normalcy restored in this country by all possible means, and this ministry is in good hands.”
The Bishop emphasized that the ultimate goal of security operations must be the return of joy to the citizenry.
“Nigerians deserve to live without fear, and laughter and joy must return,” he concluded.