President Bola Tinubu has applauded National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, describing his performance in tackling banditry and terrorism as commendable.
The president spoke on Monday in Yola during the inauguration of projects executed by the Adamawa state government, expressing confidence in Ribadu’s coordination of the country’s security operations.
Addressing the NSA, Tinubu said the administration is already seeing progress in the fight against insecurity.
“I must say clearly here that you are doing an excellent job, and we have seen the results. With you, we will defeat the bandits and terrorists. You are a good national security adviser, honest, bold, courageous and committed to the job. I believe the state of Adamawa is strongly proud of you, because I am too,” he said.
Tinubu’s remarks come against the backdrop of recent allegations by former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai.
Last month, el-Rufai alleged that the Office of the National Security Adviser procured about 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate — a toxic substance capable of causing death in small quantities. The ONSA dismissed the claim and urged him to present any supporting evidence to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation.
Tensions escalated last Thursday when security operatives attempted to arrest el-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
El-Rufai later alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), acting on Ribadu’s directive, instructed DSS officials to detain him upon arrival.
During an appearance on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, the former governor claimed that “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to hear the NSA allegedly ordering security operatives to arrest him.
Subsequently, the DSS filed a three-count charge against el-Rufai over claims that he unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s telephone conversation.
