Ribadu: Poised to Tackle Nigeria’s Complex Security Challenges

Sunday Ehigiator writes on expectations from the new National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu 

In over one decade since the commencement of hostilities in the North-east, the nation has battled waves of attacks from insurgents, armed bandits, herdsmen, kidnappers, separatists and agitators from all over the country.

With casualty figures ranging from 100,000 and above in 14 years, the activities of non-state actors appear malignant and hydra-headed with wide-ranging hostilities breaking out in some parts of the country while a lull pervades other parts with terrorists and their families surrendering in their thousands, notably, the North-east.

There are also ongoing attacks in Plateau and Benue where over 207 people were killed in the last two months, a situation that requires urgent intervention of government.

There have been suggestions and opinions on the way forward including negotiations with bandits by the former Governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Yerima, while other views border on reequipping the armed forces, application of modern technology and massive recruitment of more personnel.

The recent appointment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser (NSA) by President Bola Tinubu appears to be the  fulfilment of the long held belief by progressives in the security sector that for once, in a long while, a man with the requisite background and experience  to deliver on the national security imperatives, has mounted the saddle.

With global, intelligence fundamentals tilting towards timely intelligence gathering and intelligence-led security, it has become imperative to redirect the focus of national security.

It has been restated in several security fora and expert opinions that the one single factor missing glaringly in Nigeria’s war against insurgency and other criminalities in the past 14 years remained poor intelligence gathering and delivery hence the devastating impact of insurgency, banditry,  kidnapping and oil theft, the collateral damage in terms lives of the citizenry and security personnel, who died in their thousands within the period.

As the first Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), having served as a senior police officer that rose to the rank of a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Ribadu has extensive knowledge of the nation’s internal security set-up and the intelligence training and background required to contain crimes, criminalities and security challenges bedeviling the nation.

It is said that the approach and investigative skills of the new NSA as EFCC chair were reminiscent of the long tradition of the special branch of the police which later metamorphosed into the National Security Organisation (NSO) which in turn, birthed the nation’s intelligence agencies, schooled in high level intelligence gathering and whose impact at the time was a safe and secure nation.

As chair of the anti-graft agency, it is on record that he had the highest prosecution record of high profile, politically exposed persons, going after corrupt, sitting and former state chief executives in an unprecedented manner that shook the nation.

As the nation’s anti-corruption czar, Nuhu Ribadu had extensive contacts with global investigative agencies and actually signed several partnership agreements with the London Metropolitan Police, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the International Police (Interpol),

European Police (Europol), global financial task forces among others.

Such relationships and partnerships will come in handy in Ribadu’s new role as the nation’s top security man.

Speaking at the handover ceremony signalling his assumption of office as the National Security Adviser, Ribadu, who was appointed to the position by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, laid out clearly what the nation required at this time.

Ribadu took over from former NSA, Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd).

He said the time had come for Nigeria to enjoy peace and stability.

He said it was a collective duty of all  Nigerians  to secure the nation and “we intend to continue with what has been done”. 

“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.

“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 said.

Ribadu solicited the full cooperation of all servicemen and women, and by extension all Nigerians. 

He said there was need to unite to accomplish the present administration’s quest for a more stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

In his remarks, the former NSA, Monguno, said “Ribadu is well equipped, well qualified, well educated and has a very deep understanding of the complexity of the security challenges confronting  Nigeria”.

He said the new NSA had the capacity to tackle whatever challenges that he might encounter having served in the various positions, saying that Ribadu was starting on a good footing.

“For me, I have been able to handover a comprehensive note to him and also brief him extensively.

For me,  I want to give gratitude to the Almighty God for giving the grace to serve for such a long time and also allowing me to depart in good health and enjoy the rest of my life in an atmosphere that is bereft of the type of pressure that are associated with this all important office.  

“I am also wishing in the same vein that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu will have a very successful tenure and depart in good health when the time comes for him to depart”, he said.

Monguno said the ever changing 21st security environment demand complex approach.

“Today we are dealing with a situation in which we have terrorists and insurrectionists. The way and manner you will deal with the situation is such that you will have to rely on collection of competent staff”, he said.

Intelligence-led Security

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, by the previous roles he played in the security sector is better placed and understands the nuances between global security alliances, intelligence sharing, full involvement of the community and synergy of security agencies to succeed in his new role.

As a nation still battling terrorism and other crimes and having battled perpetrators of financial crimes and internet fraudsters himself, he is also well placed to mobilise national security to  track down terror financiers and their local and international networks.

He is also expected by his leadership of the nation’s highest decision making organ to improve upon the community approach to intelligence gathering which the last administration called a “whole-of-the-society” approach and leverage technology in doing so  as well as strengthening the commendable joint operations of the military and other security agencies.

There is also the compelling need to improve upon and infuse more intelligence content in the 2019  National Security Strategy (NSS)  document expected to be the nation’s guiding security document till 2024.

The document, has, however been criticised for being low on intelligence-led security.

A security paper entitled: “Intelligence Gathering: Strategy For Security of Lives and Property” delivered by Oladayo Ogunbowale, listed  some specific platforms aiding intelligence-sharing amongst the security agencies including attitudinal change which should be key to Ribadu’s agenda.

“As highlighted earlier since the return to democracy in 1999, the various security agencies embarked on several reform programmes, to drive attitudinal change amongst officers and men of the services.

“Although this process is still on, it has helped to improve the camaraderie amongst all categories of personnel, promoting the concept of community-based Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP) on the premise that  all crimes are usually hatched, planned and executed within the community”, he said. 

“Therefore the community is central and critical to security management and law enforcement. In this regard, the efforts of the DSS, NPF and other stakeholders is contributing appreciably to sensitisation and education of the community. 

“Indeed this effort has helped to develop capacities amongst the agencies to know the different dimensions that constitute threats, to know appropriate individuals to report to or feed with information, to know how to use basic investigation techniques, to understand basic security and safety procedures which may include how to avoid certain dangers, and getting them to also become peer educators.

On joint operations by  security agencies, he said “the various joint task forces in flashpoints which comprises of the DSS, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and other critical stakeholders” have been successful. 

“The successes recorded so far by the JTFs would not have been possible without the robust understanding between and  amongst the agencies in each task force unit”.

Involvement of the Police as the Lead Security Agency in Internal Security 

Ribadu may need to take another look at the role of the police as the lead agency in internal security operations following long years of relegation of the force  to the background.

There were also recent complaints that even in the office of the National Security Adviser, police representation is lacking.

There are views in police circles that the police as an institution is marginalised or totally absent in decision making processes at the NSA’s office, a situation that requires urgent attention in order to promote the synergy of security agencies in an intelligence-led security atmosphere.

“The creation of the office of the national security advisor  was the idea of the police. Courses that are meant for the police abroad are attended by the military for some obvious reasons.            “Out of  the  six  offices of  directors in the office of the national security advisor, there isn’t a single  police man as a director. The last police officer to have held the position of a director in the office, DIG Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, was retired.                           

                                             “Militarisation of internal security can never address our internal security challenge. No wonder insecurity under the Buhari administration went perennial because there wasn’t  genuine political will and capacity to address it”, a security expert that spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.         

                                                   “The involvement of military in internal security is completely unacceptable in the developed world except in Africa.

“Nigeria’s experience started in 1999 over a  communal clash in Plateau state. Today, the military are in every state with no genuine commitment to end the crisis and and return to their barracks”, he said.

Ribadu’s  Dalliance with the International Community 

Because of the integrity, dedication and diligence he displayed as the former boss of the EFCC, Ribadu has remained a highly respected ally of international partners and indeed the global community in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

He is a recipient of several awards, notably, from the European Parliament, anti-graft focused civil society organisations, universities and notable newspapers and magazines in Nigeria, who repeatedly voted Ribadu as man of the year in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a committed

crusader against corruption and other related crimes.

Ribadu also bagged an outstanding award on anti-corruption.

The award, administered by Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Centre (ROLACC) celebrates corruption fighters, academics and campaigners from around the world.

The award ceremony held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Malaysia.

Ribadu jointly won the lifetime/outstanding achievement category alongside Leonardo McCarthy,  former South African corruption fighter and ex-World Bank vice-president.

Mahathir Mahamad, former Malaysian Prime Minister, and Tamim Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, were present at the ceremony.

A citation of Ribadu on the European Parliament website, describes Ribadu thus:  “the name Nuhu Ribadu has become a household name in Nigeria and beyond on account

of his glorious public service record and personal integrity. 

“A trained lawyer and fearless

crime fighter, Ribadu has carved a niche for himself as someone who is patriotic,

passionate, honest, courageous and compassionate. He is the pioneer Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC), the government commission tasked with countering corruption and fraud which

he literally transformed into one of the most effective and renowned anti-graft agencies

in modern history. 

“Yet, his major tribute to anti-corruption crusade was his selflessness,

resilience and exemplary conduct in his spirited fight against the cankerworm.

With uncommon commitment and dedication to duty, Ribadu worked assiduously to

clean the augean stable created by graft and fraud.

“He courageously brought to book hundreds of fraudsters, scores of high profile looters

and economic saboteurs in spite of temptation, booby traps and threats to life”.

At a second meeting with President Tinubu on Monday, Ribadu, who addressed the media afterwards restated the commitment of the national security team to deliver on their mandate of restoring peace and containing non-state actors.

Nigerians have great expectations.

Nigerians anticipate a safe and secure nation with the Ribadu-led security team in place.

Quote

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

Caption 

Ribadu