The National Security Adviser to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, expressed apprehension on Thursday regarding the escalating presence of illicit firearms in the Northern region.
As he expressed concern over the significant poverty rates in northern Nigeria, he highlighted that the North-West region was particularly affected.
Ribadu addressed the issues during his speech at the convocation ceremony of Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto.
He presented a document titled, ‘Guiding Through the Maze: Resolving Diverse Security Issues in Northern Nigeria.’
He said, “The illegal arms market in northern Nigeria has seen a marked increase in demand and supply.
“Since assuming office, we have successfully freed over a thousand individuals, many of whom were villagers held captive for as long as two to three years.
“We have successfully secured the release of abducted students from the Federal University of Gusau and school children in Kuriga, among others.
“These results were achieved without paying any ransom. Our approach utilises evidence as the foundation of our non-kinetic strategies.
“Criminals and traffickers have developed sophisticated networks to transport illegal arms across Nigeria, deploying innovative methods to circumvent security checks.”
Speaking further the National Security Adviser added, “On the kinetic front, the Nigerian military is conducting numerous operations targeting insurgent groups like Boko Haram and bandits operating in northern Nigeria.
“This role is not a tea party; it is a demanding job that requires dexterity, hard work, and consensus building across security and political structures.
“The figures we encountered in terms of both attacks and casualties in May 2023 were heartwrenching. As recently as 2022, Nigeria witnessed four major terrorism attacks: the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, an attack on the Guards Battalion in Abuja, the Kuje Prison attack and another at a church in Owo, Ondo State.”
