By Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar Unguwa
Who should be afraid of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser? That answer is simple: kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, economic saboteurs, internet fraudsters, oil thieves, and those who profit from insecurity. These elements of the underworld despise Ribadu because, under his leadership, they no longer operate with impunity. Their days of evading justice are fast fading. They are being tracked, exposed, arrested, neutralized, or forced to surrender.
Yet ironically, in recent days, section of the political class, insecure with their position and uncertain about their future seems to have joined the fray with those listed above. Along with those who for years profiteer from insecurity, they now form a devilish combo aimed not advancing the course of national security and development but to derail the man giving his all for it.
The latest manifestation of this campaign came through hireling, a certain Senator Iroegbu, who describes himself as a seasoned security analyst. In a commentary that can only be described as a politically motivated hit job against Ribadu, the so-called analysis was less about the facts and more about fabricating a narrative, one that appears aimed at discrediting a man whose record, reputation, and results speak for themselves.
Let’s be clear: Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is not new to national service. As the pioneering Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he took on corruption with unprecedented vigor and professionalism. His fearless leadership earned him both enemies and admirers, but more importantly, it laid the foundation for Nigeria’s fight against financial crime. If anyone doubts his competence, they only need to revisit his tenure at the EFCC. No one without exceptional focus and integrity could have achieved what he did.
Since his appointment as NSA in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ribadu has brought that same principled energy into the security sector. While some prefer media hype, Ribadu’s approach is results-driven and quiet. But silence is not inactivity. In just over a year, his coordination has led to the neutralization of over 13,000 hardened terrorists and bandit kingpins, the arrest of more than 11,000 criminals, and the rescue of thousands of hostages, many of whom would have otherwise been killed or trafficked.
Security on major routes, particularly the once-deadly Abuja–Kaduna highway, has drastically improved. What was once Nigeria’s most feared road has now become one of the safest. Such a turnaround does not happen by chance. It happens when intelligence is sharp, strategy is sound, and leadership is firm. That’s exactly what Ribadu has brought to the table.
Despite these verifiable gains, Senator Iroegbu has chosen to ignore reality. Instead, he accuses the NSA of partisanship, ironically while presenting an overtly partisan argument himself. He claims that the security situation in Nigeria is deteriorating, yet offers no credible data, no statistical context, and no alternative insight beyond speculation. This is not the standard of analysis Nigerians deserve, especially on something as sensitive and vital as national security.
One would have expected that a genuine security expert would acknowledge not only progress in the North, but also in the South, where oil theft has been drastically reduced. Before 2023, Nigeria’s daily crude oil output had dipped below one million barrels due to relentless bunkering and pipeline sabotage. Today, thanks in part to security interventions spearheaded by Ribadu, Nigeria exports over 1.5 million barrels per day. That’s not a partisan achievement—it’s a national one.
More importantly, Ribadu has shown strategic adaptability. He doesn’t rely solely on force. In Katsina State, for example, he has supported non-kinetic approaches to resolving the banditry crisis. Dialogue, reconciliation, and community engagement have made travel through once-dangerous areas like Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa possible again. This kind of innovative thinking is rare and should be applauded, not dismissed by armchair analysts seeking political relevance.
Ribadu’s understanding of modern threats also deserves attention. In today’s world, national security goes beyond guns and bombs. It includes cyber threats, digital fraud, and international financial crimes. Here again, Ribadu stands out. His expertise in financial intelligence and anti-money laundering has helped Nigeria counter cybercriminals and protect national assets. His role in challenging rogue platforms like Binance, accused globally of facilitating money laundering, is a prime example of his far-reaching competence.
To call him "unprofessional" or "incompetent," as Senator Iroegbu loosely does, is not only unfounded but insulting to every Nigerian who has benefited from the improved security landscape over the last two years. Under Ribadu’s guidance, we’ve seen a decline in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, a strategic weakening of IPOB violence in the Southeast, improved safety on highways, and enhanced protection of critical infrastructure. These are not abstract concepts, they are developments with real consequences for real people.
Yes, Nigeria still faces serious security challenges. No one is pretending otherwise. But it is dishonest, and dangerous to pretend that no progress has been made. When public commentators prioritize politics over truth, they not only discredit genuine efforts but also demoralize the very institutions working to protect us.
In the final analysis, the question “Who is afraid of Nuhu Ribadu?” answers itself. It is not honest Nigerians. It is not law-abiding citizens. It is not communities that can now sleep in peace or drive at night without fear. The ones who are afraid are those who thrive in chaos, corruption, and criminality.
Ribadu’s fight is not just against terrorists in the bush, it is also against those in polished offices who use media and influence to distort the truth. But facts remain stubborn things. And the facts show that Nigeria, under Ribadu’s strategic watch, is taking decisive steps toward greater security.
Rather than tear down those who serve with integrity, let us support them. Nigeria needs men and women of character, focus, and proven competence. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is one such man. He doesn’t just deserve our support, he has earned it.
Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar Unguwa is the National Secretary of the Muryar Talaka Awareness Initiative, a civic group advocating for transparency, good governance, and national unity.
