President Bola Tinubu has praised Nuhu Ribadu, saying he is doing an “excellent job” in coordinating Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism.

The president spoke on Monday in Yola while inaugurating projects executed by the Adamawa State Government. Tinubu said he was proud of the national security adviser and expressed confidence that the country would overcome insecurity under Ribadu’s leadership.

“You are doing an excellent job, and we have seen the results. With you, we will defeat the bandits and terrorists. You are honest, bold, courageous and committed to the job,” the president said, adding that both he and the people of Adamawa State were proud of Ribadu, who is from the North-East.
Tinubu’s commendation comes amid allegations made against Ribadu by Nasir el-Rufai. Last month, el-Rufai accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of procuring about 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic substance. The ONSA denied the claim and asked him to submit any evidence to the Department of State Services for investigation.

The dispute escalated last Thursday when security operatives attempted to arrest el-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after his return from Cairo. El-Rufai later alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission acted on Ribadu’s instruction to have him arrested, a claim yet to be officially confirmed.

In a separate interview on Arise News, el-Rufai further alleged that Ribadu’s phone was wiretapped, enabling him to hear instructions for his arrest. The DSS has since filed a three-count charge against el-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation