The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu disclosed on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu was aware of high level of attacks in the North Central Nigeria in the last three weeks and was constantly giving directives in his time away.

He stated this on Wednesday after a high level security meeting of himself and service Chiefs with President Tinubu, stressing that the meeting was lengthy, exhaustive, and detailed.

“Yes, it was gracious of Mr. President to give us the opportunity to come and brief him. The meeting lasted a long time. We provided him with an update on what has been happening, including developments during his time away,” Ribadu said.

“Even while he was out of the country, he remained in constant touch. He gave directives and followed developments closely. Today, we who are in charge of security had the opportunity to brief him thoroughly—for hours. It was a very detailed and exhaustive session. We covered everything from A to Z.”

Ribadu said Service Chiefs have been deployed to critical hotspots in Plateau, Benue and Borno States, even as President Tinubu issued fresh directives and insisted that peace must be restored across the country.

“We reported back to him, as he had instructed us to engage with political authorities in those areas. Insecurity is not just a government issue; it often involves local sub-units who are directly in touch with the people,” Ribadu said.

“Many of these challenges are community-related. To address this, it is essential to work with communities, local governments, and especially state governors. The President continues to emphasise this, and we are following through.”

Ribadu also underscored the urgency with which the administration is tackling the crisis: “He [President Tinubu] is deeply concerned and worried. He has insisted that enough is enough. We are working to ensure that peace and security are restored. Everyone is involved – the Armed Forces, civil police, and intelligence community are all on the ground, working 24 hours a day.”

While acknowledging that total security is yet to be achieved, Ribadu said the country is “on the right course,” with improved conditions in recent months.

“We do not underestimate the loss of even one life. We do not take it lightly. But certainly, a lot has changed and improved,” he said. “We will not stop until we achieve results.”

On the deteriorating situation in Borno State, Ribadu explained that recent escalations were largely driven by insurgents deploying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target civilians.

“These evil people don’t just sit and accept defeat,” he noted. “They try to make a statement. Most of the casualties we’ve seen have been from IEDs.”

He added that opportunistic attacks also occur during lulls in violence, undermining long stretches of peace. “When that happens, people tend to forget the peaceful days and focus only on the bad incident. But there are people out there who do not sleep, who make enormous sacrifices just to ensure this semblance of peace. And they will continue to do so.”

The security crisis has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and lawmakers, who are calling for urgent and decisive action to protect vulnerable populations. President Tinubu, who only recently returned from a private visit to Europe, had previously condemned the spate of violence.

Wednesday’s emergency meeting with his top security chiefs signals growing concern at the highest levels of government.

In attendance were Ribadu; Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi; DIG Police Head Force Intelligence. Benjamin Okolo; Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (CDI), and Gen. Emmanuel Undianeye.

In furtherance of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun’s strategic vision to strengthen internal security operations nationwide, the Kogi State Police Command today recorded another milestone with the successful field assessment of the ongoing combat operation course for Police personnel.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, paid a working visit to the combat training ground to inspect and encourage another batch of trainees currently undergoing the intensive tactical training in Lokoja. The CP, during his visit, delivered a comprehensive lecture to the trainees, focusing on essential aspects of operational readiness, particularly rifle handling, gun servicing, and accurate shooting techniques.

This training forms part of the fourth batch of the combat operation course which began earlier in February 2025. The training is designed to enhance the operational efficiency of officers in responding to emerging security challenges within the State and its environs.

The ongoing exercise has so far yielded impressive results as the trainees comprising Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Divisional Crime Officers (DCOs), Senior Police Officers (SPOs), Inspectors, and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), demonstrate high levels of discipline, tactical coordination, and combat prowess.

The CP commended the Officers and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ongoing capacity-building programmes. He noted that such trainings are critical to equipping Officers with the modern tools and techniques needed for effective Policing in today’s dynamic security landscape.

He further stated that Police cannot succeed without adequate training. Noting that our duty to protect lives and property is non-negotiable. Therefore, this training is not a one-time event but a continuous process until every officer in Kogi State Command is fully combat-ready.

He urged the officers to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to the principles of professionalism, service, and integrity as they continue to learn new ideas that will equip them for better service delivery.

To this end, the Command will continue to prioritize proactive Policing strategies that ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents, in line with the vision of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector Genera of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.