Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, issued a stern warning to the recently formed terror group, Lakurawa, emphasizing that “no one dares President Bola Tinubu and remains the same.”
The message from the NSA came during the Comptroller-General of Customs conference in Abuja. Ribadu, who represented Tinubu at the conference, did not hold back his words, boldly declaring that Lakurawa had made a dangerous misstep by launching attacks in Nigeria’s northwest region.
“The new group, Lakurawa, or whatever they call themselves, have made a mistake,” Ribadu asserted. “This is Nigeria of 2024, we will finish them. No one dares Tinubu and wins.”
The government’s strong stance came as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, deployed troops to the area, specifically to Augie Local Government Area in Kebbi State. The deployment followed an attack on Mera village, where at least 17 villagers were killed by Lakurawa members.
Ribadu highlighted the success of recent military and security operations, attributing these improvements to what he called “Tinubu’s gains.” He pointed to the progress made across regions previously plagued by insecurity, saying, “Go to where Boko Haram was operating, there is silence. They have fled to the Niger Republic; many are surrendering.”
The security adviser detailed the changing landscape in the Niger Delta and the South East, where he noted improved peace and stability. “Go to the Niger Delta, there is silence,” he said. “That is why we can produce 1.8 million barrels per day now. Go to the South East, there is silence.”
Ribadu’s comments also praised the unprecedented collaboration between Nigeria’s security forces. “For the first time in the history of our country, the entire security sector leaders are working as one – armed forces, the intelligence community, civil police, and others,” he stated.
In an impassioned tone, Ribadu expressed his confidence that the Lakurawa group would soon be defeated. “These so-called Lakurawas, or whatever they are called, are making a mistake,” he said. “Nobody dares Tinubu and wins. They have come at the wrong time. We will kick you (Lakurawa) out of Nigeria.”
Ribadu went further to address critics and skeptics of the Tinubu administration, affirming that the government’s efforts were already bearing fruit. “This is Nigeria of 2024,” he said. “I assure you, the critics will be quiet. One after the other, things will change in our country and they are already changing.”
The NSA painted a broader picture of stability in Nigeria, linking it to both the oil sector and improved security. “Today, we have got to 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day. We have not seen this for a long time,” he emphasized. Ribadu also cited the surrender of hundreds of bandits and insurgents, saying they are giving up arms in various parts of the country.
His speech extended beyond national security, touching on recent financial reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange rates, which he stated had cut off what he described as “free money” for the wealthy.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria is clean; nobody is making one dime in Central Bank, unlike 2023,” Ribadu asserted, attributing these changes to Tinubu’s leadership. “And the naira will be stabilized. Wait and see. It will come.”
Ribadu also shared that Tinubu has been receiving significant international attention, with numerous countries expressing interest in working with Nigeria. “Today, the whole world is looking for President Tinubu,” he said. “The Prime Minister of India is coming on the 15th, and the President of Germany is coming. They have invited him to G20.”
He praised the Nigerian Customs Service for its record-breaking revenue collection, which exceeded N5 trillion in less than a year – a historic figure that Ribadu attributed to Tinubu’s reforms.
“For the first time, we are hitting over N5 trillion,” Ribadu said. “It is happening all over and we are just one year and seven months. Let them wait and see 2025. It will happen. We will secure this country.”
Ribadu’s speech concluded with a powerful message of confidence in Tinubu’s leadership. “We will fix this country. We will fix it. We are not jokers. Tinubu is a success. It has never been a failure with him. We will fix our country. Nigeria will be up again that we will be proud of.”
