President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday held a high-level security meeting with National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, and other top security officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, amid escalating violence in parts of the country.
The closed-door meeting, which began around 3:00 p.m., followed a wave of brutal attacks in Plateau, Benue, and Borno States that have claimed numerous lives and displaced entire communities.
The violence, blamed in part on foreign elements by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, has raised widespread alarm over the state of national security.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, NSA Ribadu said the President received a detailed briefing on recent developments, including updates from while he was abroad.
“It was a long and exhaustive session,” Ribadu said. “We discussed everything from A to Z. The President remained fully engaged even during his time away and gave directives accordingly.”
According to Ribadu, Tinubu has now issued fresh orders aimed at restoring peace to affected regions. Security chiefs have been deployed to critical flashpoints in Plateau, Benue, and Borno States to oversee operations and engage local stakeholders.
“We were directed to work closely with state governments, local authorities, and community leaders,” Ribadu said. “Many of the current security challenges are rooted in local dynamics. The President emphasized a bottom-up approach—collaboration with the people is essential.”
Ribadu stressed Tinubu’s deep concern about the situation, saying, “He has insisted that enough is enough. All agencies—the Armed Forces, police, and intelligence community—are working round-the-clock to bring the situation under control.”
While acknowledging ongoing security challenges, the NSA said Nigeria is making progress.
“We still have a lot to do, but the situation is not what it was months ago. We’re moving in the right direction, and we won’t relent until peace is fully restored.”
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On the deteriorating security in Borno State, Ribadu noted that recent violence has largely been caused by insurgents using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against civilians.
“These attackers aim to make a statement and disrupt progress. But security forces are making enormous sacrifices to protect lives.”
The recent wave of attacks has prompted criticism from lawmakers and civil society organisations, urging the federal government to act decisively.
Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria earlier this week after a 19-day trip to Europe, had previously condemned the attacks and pledged stronger action.
Wednesday’s meeting, described as urgent and strategic, was attended by key intelligence and security officials, including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi; DIG of Police Intelligence, Benjamin Okolo; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Gen. Emmanuel Undianeye.
 Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, and other top security officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, amid escalating violence in parts of the country.){kind=link}