National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has disclosed that 13,543 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have been neutralised, while 124,408 others — including their families — surrendered within the first two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Ribadu made the disclosure in a 19-page PowerPoint document titled “Nigeria’s Achievements on National Security (2023–2025)”, which highlights the administration’s security gains.
The document, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, provides a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security landscape before Tinubu assumed office, strategic interventions by the current government, regional impacts, and ongoing challenges.
The NSA identified insurgency, banditry, separatist movements, Niger Delta militancy, and communal violence as major threats that, before May 2023, endangered Nigeria’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity.
Key Regional Gains:
North-East (Boko Haram/ISWAP):
•13,543 insurgents killed
•124,408 fighters and family members surrendered
•Over 11,000 weapons and 252,596 rounds of ammunition recovered and destroyed
North-West (Banditry and Kidnapping):
•More than 50 bandit kingpins and 70 deputy commanders neutralised
•Hundreds of foot soldiers eliminated
•High-profile bandits such as Halilu Sububu, Ali Kawaje (a.k.a. Ali Kachala), Boderi Isyaku, Isuhu Yellow, and Dumuna killed
•35 warlords surrendered under the non-kinetic “Kaduna Model”
•Launch of Operation Safe Corridor North-West to rehabilitate repentant bandits
•11,250 hostages rescued from terrorist camps
South-South (Niger Delta Militancy and Oil Theft):
•1,978 illegal refineries dismantled
•3,849 dugout pits and 3,773 illegal cooking ovens destroyed
•Operation Safe Delta launched to enforce regional security
South-East (Separatist Agitations):
•Major figures in the Eastern Security Network (ESN), armed wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), captured or killed
•The Monday “sit-at-home” order enforced by ESN losing effect
•Sharp decline in violent attacks targeting security agents and public institutions
•More than 50 police stations and numerous police posts rebuilt
Ribadu acknowledged that while notable progress has been made, challenges persist. He called for sustained national commitment and multi-agency collaboration to ensure lasting peace, national security, and the preservation of Nigeria’s democracy.
