By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer Chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday officially assumed office as the country’s National Security Adviser (NSA).
A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ribadu, has officially taken over from Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd) who was recently relieved of his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, a retirement that has been hailed as timely.
He was sacked in a shake-up which also affected the country’s service chiefs and other heads of security agencies.
Ribadu on assumption, assured that he would live up to the expectations of Nigerians and secure the country from all forms of insecurity such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, amongst others.
“We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country and we will make Nigeria peaceful because we believe time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order and rule of law just like any other country in the world,” Ribadu said as he assumed office.
“Securing the nation is a continuous process. We will look at what has been done and build on it. We will count on your support in the course of discharging our responsibilities.
“Mr. President has a huge commitment to securing every inch of our country. We will work with all stakeholders to deliver on this vision.
“This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians, and all friends of Nigeria,” he stated, according to a statement by the NSA Office.
Ribadu was earlier appointed Special Adviser on Security to President Tinubu on June 15, 2023.
However, four days after the shake-up in the country’s security architecture, he was upgraded to the office of the National Security Adviser.
Nigeria has since 2008 rattled Boko Haram terrorists which holds large swathes of land in the North East region, spilling over to North West where banditry and kidnapping has displaced thousands of residents.
Boko Haram which had pledged allegiance to Islamic State has also been infiltrated by ISWAP.
The immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari was criticised for failing to curtail insecurity.
As EFCC chief, Ribadu prosecuted his boss, the then Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed and made to return about £150 million under a plea bargain arrangement.
