You can now drive at night and travel to any region of Nigeria with a sense of security, according to Ribadu

Bola Tinubu has asserted that the security situation in Nigeria has improved during his administration.

Represented by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Tinubu made this statement on Thursday in Abuja at the inaugural international lecture hosted by the News Agency of Nigeria. He recounted the deteriorating security conditions that prevailed in 2022 and early 2023, under the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.

The President emphasized that Nigerians can now travel from the capital, Abuja, to various regions of the country without the fear of attacks.

He remarked, “We have not merely been speaking; we have been taking action. Our efforts are ongoing, and I can confidently state that we are progressing in the right direction. Nigeria is on the path to stability. You will notice the changes; you will experience them. Please allow us some time.”

He further reminded the audience of the security challenges faced in 2022, stating, “In Abuja, we witnessed incidents where armed individuals and terrorists would come and attack our soldiers.”

He continued, “In 2022, there were instances where assailants breached prisons to free the most dangerous criminals, and train attacks resulted in the abduction of hundreds of individuals.”

“That was the Nigeria of 2022. Since our administration took over, I assure you that Abuja is now secure. Today, you can drive at night to Kaduna, Lokoja, Minna, or Lafia and feel safe. This transformation has occurred in just one year and four months. In Nigeria, you can now travel freely, which was not the case in 2022.”

In contrast, a recent report from SBM Intelligence indicated that at least 7,568 individuals were abducted across Nigeria between July 2023 and July 2024.

The report highlighted the increasing complexity of the security crisis, with armed groups and non-state actors taking advantage of the state's diminished authority.

It pointed out several issues, including the resurgence of Boko Haram in the Northeast, armed gangs in the Northcentral and Northwest, secessionist violence in the Southeast, and gang-related problems in the Southwest.

Amidst a variety of security challenges, the prevalence of kidnapping for ransom has surfaced as a significant concern. According to the report, between July 2023 and June 2024, our research identified at least 7,568 individuals who were abducted in 1,130 separate incidents nationwide.

During this timeframe, kidnappers demanded a total of N10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) in ransom, yet they only received N1,048,110,000, which constitutes a mere 9.5% of the total amount requested. This suggests a shift in the approach of kidnappers, who appear to be less selective in their choice of victims.

The report highlights that Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina are the states with the highest incidence of kidnappings and the largest number of victims. Specifically, Zamfara recorded the most significant figures, with 132 incidents resulting in 1,639 victims.

In detail, Zamfara had 132 incidents with 1,639 victims, Kaduna reported 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina documented 119 incidents with 887 victims.

Furthermore, these three states also account for the highest number of civilian fatalities. The report indicates that during the period under review, kidnapping has become increasingly deadly, with 1,056 individuals killed across the 1,130 reported incidents. On average, a fatality occurs with each attempted kidnapping.