National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has said that insecurity in northern Nigeria has significantly reduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration compared to the previous government.
He made the assertion on Tuesday, July 29 , at a two-day meeting organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.
Ribadu told northern leaders that the sharp drop in killings, kidnappings, and communal violence was due to President Tinubu’s directive for a unified security approach.
He stated, “1,192 people were killed and over 3,348 kidnapped in Kaduna State during the previous administration, while more than 5,000 people lost their lives in Benue State within the same period.”
According to Ribadu, the North-West region has seen progress, with security forces rescuing 11,259 hostages as of May 2025.
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He added that several bandit leaders and their groups have been taken out in major operations across Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina.
He also praised Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for embracing a non-military solution to insecurity in flashpoint areas like Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari.
The gathering brought together northern leaders to assess the performance of the Tinubu administration, focusing on its impact on the region’s security and economy.
Present at the event were Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, several current and former governors, service chiefs, ministers, and political appointees.
The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, which organised the session, said the review aims to serve as a “litmus test” of the federal government’s ability to respond to the North’s security and development challenges.