In a bold assertion, President Bola Tinubu declared that Nigeria’s security has significantly improved under his leadership, enabling citizens to travel freely, even at night.
Speaking at the inaugural international lecture organised by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, reflected on the nation’s security challenges before his administration.
“Today you can drive at night, and you can go to Kaduna, you can go to Lokoja, you can go to Minna… You can travel to any part of the country and you dared not do it in 2022,” Tinubu stated, emphasising the contrast with the security situation during the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
He recalled a time when “bad people and terrorists would come here and kill our soldiers” and highlighted the frequent attacks on prisons and trains that characterised the security landscape of 2022. “We have not been talking; we have been working. I can assure you that we are on the right track,” he added, encouraging citizens to give his administration time to further stabilise the nation.
Despite these assurances, a recent report by SBM Intelligence reveals a grim picture of insecurity in Nigeria. Between July 2023 and July 2024, at least 7,568 people were abducted across the country, indicating that the security crisis remains complex and multifaceted.
The report identifies a resurgence of Boko Haram in the Northeast and ongoing violence from armed gangs in various regions, including the Northcentral and Northwest.
“Amid these diverse security threats, widespread kidnap for ransom has emerged as a common thread,” the report stated, noting that kidnappers demanded over N10 billion in ransom but received only N1 billion, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Particularly affected states include Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina, which recorded the highest numbers of kidnapping incidents and civilian deaths.
“Zamfara recorded 132 incidents with 1,639 victims, Kaduna had 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina reported 119 incidents with 887 victims,” the report detailed.
Furthermore, it revealed a troubling trend of increasing lethality in kidnappings, with over 1,056 fatalities linked to such incidents during the year.
As Tinubu asserts progress in national security, the realities on the ground suggest that much work remains to be done to address Nigeria’s enduring security challenges.