‘You’re Doing Well’ — Tinubu Backs Ribadu, Vows End to Banditry

By: Oluwaseun Lawal

It was a public show of confidence. Clear. Direct.

President Bola Tinubu, speaking in Yola on Monday, praised his National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, saying he is doing an “excellent job” steering Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism. The president made the remark while inaugurating projects executed by the Adamawa State Government.

Standing before dignitaries and residents, Tinubu didn’t hold back. He said he was proud of Ribadu. Proud of the results so far. And confident that the country would overcome its security challenges under his watch.

“You are doing an excellent job,” the president said, adding that with Ribadu’s leadership, bandits and terrorists would be defeated. He described the NSA as honest, bold, courageous — words delivered firmly, almost personal. Adamawa, Ribadu’s home state, he noted, should be proud. “Because I am too,” he added.

The endorsement comes at a tense moment.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has recently levelled serious allegations against the Office of the National Security Adviser. He accused the office of procuring about 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic substance capable of killing in small doses. The ONSA dismissed the claim and challenged him to present evidence to the Department of State Services for investigation.

The situation escalated last week when security operatives attempted to arrest el-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after his arrival from Cairo. He later alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission acted on Ribadu’s instruction in seeking his arrest.

In a weekend television interview, el-Rufai further claimed that someone had wiretapped Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to hear directives allegedly ordering his arrest. The Department of State Services has since filed a three-count charge against the former governor for alleged interception of the NSA’s telephone conversation.

Politics. Security. Accusations flying.

Yet in Yola, the president’s message was simple — the fight continues. And he says his security adviser is firmly in charge.