Ribadu Declares End of Sit-at-Home Orders in South-East, Highlights Massive Security Gains Under Tinubu Government

 

ABUJA, NIGERIA – May 23, 2025 – The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has announced that separatist-enforced sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s South-East are rapidly losing their effectiveness. This significant development comes as the federal government showcases its two-year security performance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, indicating major breakthroughs across several conflict-prone zones in Nigeria.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit held in Abuja on Thursday, May 22, Ribadu painted a hopeful picture of the country’s improving security landscape. From the insurgency-ridden North-East to the banditry-plagued North-West and the volatile South-East, Ribadu outlined how strategic military and non-kinetic interventions are restoring peace and reviving economic activities.

“The sit-at-home orders are becoming more and more ineffective,” Ribadu declared. “We have significantly degraded the capacity of IPOB and ESN. Many of their top figures have either been captured or neutralised.”

South-East: Sit-at-Home Losing Ground as Normalcy Returns

For years, the South-East region has been gripped by the violent enforcement of sit-at-home directives orchestrated by separatist groups, primarily the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). These orders often paralyzed economic activities and led to widespread fear, especially on Mondays.

However, Ribadu’s latest revelations mark a turning point in the region’s journey toward stability. According to the NSA, the operational capacity of these separatist elements has been significantly weakened through sustained intelligence-led security operations.

“Attacks on security personnel in the region have sharply declined,” he noted. “Over 50 police stations and outposts have been rebuilt as social and economic life gradually returns to the South-East.”

This statement comes as welcome news to residents and businesses in states like Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu, who have long suffered the economic toll and psychological burden of the sit-at-home menace.

North-West: Decisive Blows Against Bandit Warlords

Shifting focus to the North-West, Ribadu described the past year as a “turning point” in the federal government’s war against banditry. A region once known for mass abductions, rural terror, and criminal fiefdoms has witnessed the fall of several notorious bandit leaders.

“We have delivered decisive blows to top warlords,” Ribadu announced. “Names like Ali Kachalla, Boderi, Halilu Sububu, Dangote, Isuhu Yellow, and Damuna have all been eliminated.”

These figures were previously thought untouchable, orchestrating kidnapping-for-ransom networks and terrorizing rural communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states.

Ribadu further revealed that over 11,250 hostages have been rescued since President Tinubu assumed office. Additionally, more than 35 notorious warlords have surrendered under the government’s non-kinetic peace approach, popularly referred to as the “Kaduna Model.”

“More than 50 leaders known as ‘Kachalas,’ over 70 deputy commanders, and hundreds of foot soldiers have been neutralised in targeted operations,” he added.

This strategy combines dialogue, amnesty, and rehabilitation programs alongside sustained military pressure, a combination that is beginning to yield positive results.

North-East: Crushing Insurgents, Rebuilding Lives

The North-East has long been the epicenter of Nigeria’s insurgency crisis, primarily due to the violent campaigns of Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP). However, according to Ribadu, significant strides have been made in weakening these terrorist organizations.

“Over 13,543 terrorists and criminals have been neutralised, while more than 124,408 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and their family members have surrendered,” he revealed.

These figures highlight the impact of relentless counterinsurgency operations in flashpoint areas such as Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

“Operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, Tumbu islands, and other enclaves are ongoing,” Ribadu added, noting the strategic importance of these hideouts.

In addition, Nigerian forces have recovered and destroyed over 11,000 weapons and more than 252,000 rounds of ammunition, disrupting the logistical supply chains of the insurgents.

Niger Delta: Fighting Oil Theft, Boosting Production

In the oil-rich Niger Delta, Ribadu emphasized that efforts to curb crude oil theft and pipeline sabotage are yielding tangible benefits.

“Security efforts have led to the dismantling of 1,978 illegal refineries and the destruction of 3,849 dugout pits and 3,773 illegal cooking ovens,” Ribadu stated.

He noted that the region had witnessed a 47 percent drop in infractions, a statistic that is particularly encouraging for Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.

“For the first time in years, all pipelines are now green—fully operational,” he declared.

This stability has helped Nigeria’s oil production rise to an average of 1.8 million barrels per day, a significant step toward meeting OPEC targets and reviving investor confidence.

“Oil production in Ogoniland is set to resume after more than three decades,” Ribadu announced, a move that could further stimulate economic activities and address long-standing grievances in the region.

Cybersecurity and Digital Warfare: New Frontiers in National Security

In a nod to the evolving nature of security threats, Ribadu also highlighted the federal government’s intensified focus on cybersecurity and financial crime prevention.

“The Binance investigation became a catalyst for disrupting criminal networks that use crypto platforms,” Ribadu explained.

This crackdown on digital finance platforms has exposed several suspicious accounts linked to terrorism financing, banditry, and separatist activities, leading to their immediate shutdown.

To support ongoing investigations and operational efficiency, the federal government has implemented a Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan and established a National Digital Forensic Laboratory to support security agencies.

A Broader Vision for Lasting Peace

Ribadu concluded his address by acknowledging the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges and calling for a multifaceted approach to peacebuilding.

“Since May 29, 2023, significant gains have been recorded in addressing Nigeria’s complex security landscape,” he said. “Our improved intelligence gathering, targeted interventions, and strengthened security operations are stabilising key hotspots and reducing casualties.”

However, he stressed that military success alone is not enough to guarantee long-term peace and security.

“Long-term peace and stability can only be achieved through inclusive economic growth, infrastructure development, and responsive governance,” Ribadu stated.

As NaijaRush continues to monitor these developments, one thing is clear: while challenges remain, the Tinubu administration has made notable progress in delivering security, stability, and hope to millions of Nigerians.