President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued fresh directives for a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s national security architecture, following a renewed wave of violence in Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara states.
The President made the declaration during a high-level security meeting held at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, April 23, 2025.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was attended by service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, signed the statement detailing the outcome of the closed-door session.
President Tinubu, while condemning the continued killing of innocent citizens in the affected states, declared, “Enough is enough,” and demanded urgent and coordinated action to end the bloodshed.
NSA: President issued fresh orders after exhaustive briefing
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu disclosed that President Tinubu was deeply concerned about the security situation and gave new marching orders to the security chiefs.
“The President insisted that we work harder to restore security in the country,” Ribadu said. “We gave him updates on what has been happening and assured him of our commitment.”
According to Ribadu, the President had been monitoring developments even while on recent official trips to Paris and London. He noted that Tinubu had directed security operatives to visit flashpoints in Plateau, Benue, and Borno States and meet with political leaders to develop localized strategies.
The NSA emphasized the need for greater involvement of state and local governments in addressing insecurity, particularly in communities where violence is rooted in local disputes.
“We need to work with the communities, with the local governments, and with the governors,” Ribadu stated. “The President directed that we work more closely with these actors.”
Terrorists exploiting ungoverned spaces, targeting civilians
Ribadu further revealed that attackers were exploiting ungoverned areas and using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to target civilians, a pattern that has intensified the need for urgent intervention.
“Mr President is very worried and concerned,” Ribadu said, reiterating that all arms of Nigeria’s security and intelligence community are under strict instruction to restore peace.
The new directives come amid growing public outcry over persistent insecurity, especially in rural and vulnerable communities, where killings and displacement have surged in recent weeks.
