Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), stated that the sit-at-home orders imposed by non-state actors in the southeastern geopolitical zone are “becoming ineffective.” Ribadu made this statement during a presentation on the security achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national summit on Thursday.

The NSA outlined that the Tinubu administration inherited five significant security challenges affecting the country: Boko Haram in the northeast; armed banditry in the northwest; secessionist movements from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the southeast; unrest in the Niger Delta; and communal/herder-farmer conflicts in the north-central region.

He emphasized that, through collaborative efforts, security agencies have successfully contained mass killings, kidnappings, and destruction by criminal elements throughout Nigeria. Ribadu highlighted key achievements, noting that over 13,543 Boko Haram fighters have been neutralized in the last two years, with more than 11,000 arms recovered and destroyed. Additionally, approximately 124,408 Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered to the military since the Tinubu administration began.

Despite ongoing challenges, he reported that military operations are actively progressing in areas such as the Tumbuktu Triangle, Tumbu islands, and other strongholds.

“In the south-east, a welcome development is that the sit-at-home orders are becoming increasingly ineffective,” he said. “Key IPOB and ESN figures have been captured or neutralized, over 50 police stations and numerous police posts have been rebuilt, and attacks on security forces have seen a significant reduction. Social and economic activities are gradually normalizing.”

In the northwest, he characterized the year as groundbreaking in the fight against banditry, with 11,250 hostages freed and a noticeable decline in mass abductions. Ribadu also noted decisive strikes against prominent warlords, including Ali Kachalla, Boderi, Halilu Sububu, Dangote, Isuhu Yellow, and Damuna.