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Tinubu’s 2-year Security Scorecard: Gains, Pains And Future Prospects
By Sumaila Ogbaje,
As President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office, the question on many Nigerians’ minds is: has the administration’s security approach yielded tangible results?
Nigeria’s security challenges are multifaceted and deeply entrenched. No doubt, the administration took off on May 29, 2023, amidst a myriad of security challenges across all regions of the country, but the administration has introduced various measures to tackle the menace.
While some progress has been made, much work remains to be done.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, recently revealed that over 13,543 terrorists and other criminal elements have been killed across Nigeria since May 2023.
He added that over 10,000 hostages have been rescued during the two years of President Tinubu’s office.
According to him, a total of 124,408 fighters of Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with their family members, surrendered to Nigerian forces and are undergoing rehabilitation through the government’s de-radicalisation and reintegration programme.
Also, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, during a ministerial briefing recently, said that Nigeria currently grapples with multiple security challenges.
Badaru said the administration, which came in with promises to enhance security, had been making determined efforts to fulfil its promise, adding that contemporary security challenges in Nigeria were neither isolated nor simplistic.
He said the challenges were deeply rooted in decades-long socio-political fractures, economic dislocations, porous transnational borders, foreign insurgent influences and a global terrorism matrix that continues to mutate beyond classical military doctrines.
According to him, President Tinubu’s firm directive, “Enough is enough,” signals reinforcement of political will, which also spurs the military to double its efforts in conjunction with all stakeholders towards overcoming the security challenges.
The key achievements include enhanced synergy within the AFN and with other security agencies, defence equipment procurement, improvement in defence production and capacity development of troops.
Others are troops’ welfare, increasing partnerships with friendly nations/organisations and sustaining stakeholder engagement sessions.
It is pertinent to note that despite these claims, the Nigerian Military has recorded seven terror attacks on its bases in 2025, despite claimed successes against terrorists and bandits.
The Defence Headquarters in 2024 declared 106 terrorists/bandit leaders wanted with a vow to eliminate them from the battlefield.
Several such terrorist leaders, at least 22, have been eliminated.
Among the prominent terrorist leaders eliminated are Abu Bilal Minuki, Haruna Isiya Boderi, Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi, Kachallah Kabiru, Kachallah Azailaru, and Alhaji Baldu.
On his part, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye revealed that Nigerian troops seized a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during recent operations targeting non-state actors.
Kangye revealed that more than 3,002 firearms and 71,532 rounds of ammunition were recovered during coordinated offensives in Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and the Tunbums along the Lake Chad Basin.
Despite these successes, however, there were some setbacks recorded as a result of the recent resurgence of terrorist attacks targeting troops’ locations and vulnerable communities in the North East, particularly, Borno.
On January 4, Boko Haram terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks attacked troops’ location at Sabon Gari village of Damboa local government area, killing at least six soldiers.
On March 25, terrorists attacked troops at Goneri in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe and another attack on a military location in Wajiroko near Sabon-Gari in Damboa Local Government Area in Borno, killing at least four soldiers, with some wounded in action.
These are some of the incidents that brought a sort of set of setback to the gains hitherto made in the fight against insurgency, a development that slightly affected the planned return of some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno.
It is based on the foregoing that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede re-jigs the operation in Borno, appointing new field commanders, including the Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai North East.
The current Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar has reiterated the commitment of the troops to sustain the renewed tempo of operation with the sole objective of defeating the terrorists.
He said the troops had continued to show resilience in defeating the terrorists across the theatre of operation, with several successes so far recorded.
According to him, in the recent attack on the Kukawa area of Borno, troops with the support of air components defeated the terrorist onslaught, neutralising 28 terrorists.
He said the terrorists’ resort to attacking isolated communities in search of logistics, equipment or fighters, close-ledger, and outdoor high-value targets, suggests “desperation of the terrorists leaders to reassess themselves, demonstrate strength, recruit more fighters, and amass logistics infrastructure for future offensive across the theatre”.
On procurement of equipment, the administration of President Tinubu has a high level of commitment to the acquisition of several modern platforms, including armoured vehicles, aircraft and ships, as well as drones and other equipment.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had, during the induction of two newly acquired Agusta 109S Trekker Helicopters as part of activities marking NAF’s 61st Anniversary, announced that an additional 49 aircraft were expected within the next two years.
Abubakar said the 49 aircraft expected include 10 additional A-109S trekkers, 12 AH-1 Zulu attack helicopters, 24 M-346 attack and ground attack aircraft, and three Kata 295 medium airlift aircraft.
According to him, these acquisitions will significantly bolster NAF precision strike, ground attack, and air mobility capabilities to support counter terrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
Providing an overview of operational achievements, the CAS disclosed that in the past year alone, the NAF has flown over 4,500 hours across 2,304 sorties, executing nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions.
He added that over 2,600 anti-banditry sorties were carried out, resulting in 4,670 hours of flight time.
According to the CAS, the NAF, in support of efforts to combat economic sabotage, conducted 366 sorties targeting crude oil theft and illegal refining, amassing more than 1,450 hours of flight time.
Similarly, in the fight against crude oil theft, the NAF said the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe had, between January and May 2025, executed over 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes across the zone.
A statement by NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said that the airstrikes destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs, and several transport vehicles.
On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said the Nigerian Navy had taken delivery of three helicopters and three ships to boost its operations.
Ogalla said the service had, between January to May 2025, arrested 215 suspects, 26 vessels and deactivated 468 Illegal Refinery Sites.
He added that an estimated quantity of 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and seven million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled, while 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits and 279 storage tanks were deactivated.
According to the CNS, the Navy, since January 2025, destroyed 103 Illegal Refinery Sites and arrested 34 suspects linked to crude oil theft.
The administration has successfully reduced the influence of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the Southeast, particularly in enforcing sit-at-home orders.
Tinubu’s administration has partnered with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to host a high-level African counter-terrorism summit and has implemented existing counter-terrorism measures.
The administration launched the Pulaku Initiative, a N50 billion project aimed at providing non-kinetic solutions to address banditry and insurgency in Northern Nigeria.
The administration should prioritise community-based security initiatives, promoting socio-economic development and inter-communal dialogue.
Completing police reform efforts, including decentralising policing and enhancing accountability, could improve internal security.
Overall, while President Tinubu’s administration has made some progress in addressing insecurity, the persistence of attacks and criticisms of his security approach highlights the need for a more effective and comprehensive strategy.
The administration should do more to address economic challenges, such as inflation and unemployment, particularly through agriculture and other empowerment programmes to reduce the root causes of insecurity.
News Agency of Nigeria
The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sought collaboration from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect the maritime domain.
The Controller of the command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, made this disclosure when his team visited the office of the Immigration officer in charge of the Lagos Seaport/Marine Command in Lagos on Wednesday.
Ntadi explained that the purpose of his visit was to create synergy on how to share intelligence to enable them to achieve success in their core mandate of promoting legitimate trade and combating smuggling.
The Comptroller acknowledged that the relationship between Customs and Immigration Services goes beyond government operations.
Ntadi reiterated the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi’s core mandate of collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
“Intelligence sharing will assist both agencies to achieve more success because if an officer is on land, he can easily shout and run, while it will be difficult for an officer to call for help at sea in the middle of the night.
“Such an officer can be relieved if there is synergy with other sister agencies, such as Immigration, which will assist him in that situation.
“I purposely called for proper collaboration to enable Customs to achieve more in combating smuggling activities at sea,” he said.
Ntadi said that training would go a long way in changing the attitude of junior officers toward adopting a collaborative strategy during operations.
The Comptroller, NIS, Lagos Seaport/Marine Command, Clementina Ogbudu, acknowledged the significant roles played by NCS in ensuring illicit drugs and unwanted substances do not enter the country.
Ogbudu said that there was no checkpoint across the country where Customs and Immigration officers would not be present to work together.
She acknowledged that the Comptroller-General of Customs had said during the last annual Customs conference that the Service and Immigration were sister agencies.
Ogbudu called for the need to collaborate and form a formidable team that would curb criminality being perpetuated on the waters.
“For us to keep the territorial water safe, we need to form a team to tackle the enormous atrocities committed on the waters.
“It behoves us to form an intelligence team because we are working for the same purposes. We need to collaborate in securing a better and safer trade to flourish.
“Smuggling activities come through the air, water, and land; that is why we need to collaborate for trade to thrive,” Ogbudu said.
She mentioned the willingness of Customs to give the necessary cooperation needed for Comptroller Ntadi to achieve more success, adding that collaboration was important to enhance a healthier and safer maritime environment.
In his vote of thanks, the Assistant Controller of Immigration, Shamsudeen Mustapha, appreciated Customs for strengthening collaboration between them.
Mustapha, also the Head of Human Resources Management of Lagos Seaport and Marine, said that the collaboration would have a positive impact on their operations as they looked forward to being sensitised by the Comptroller of Customs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ntadi, who had a closed-door meeting with a Director, Department of State Services, Mr Babaide Adisa, said their visit was to collaborate for more robust synergy to protect the security of the country.
Health and Safety
Mokwa flood: RIMSON Calls For National Orientation in Disaster Prevention, Mitigation
Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON) has stressed the urgent need for intensive orientation in disaster prevention, readiness and mitigation at the national and local levels.
The society’s President and Chairman of the Governing Board, Dr Abbas Idriss, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
RIMSON’s call followed a May 27 downpour in Mokwa, which led to flooding the following morning, claiming 160 lives so far, with property worth millions of Naira destroyed.
Idris attributed the incident to heavy rainfall, poor drainage system, deforestation and land use changes, soil erosion, river overflow and climate change.
Condoiling the Nigerian Government, people of the state and the victims, the president advocated strengthening the state’s early warning system, reforestation programme, community education and land use planning.
He also recommended the development of emergency response plans and a strengthened partnership with non-governmental organisations.
These, according to him, will help in strengthening the state’s preparedness, mitigation, and drastically reduce the risk of flooding and improve recovery efforts.
He said the recommendations would also help Niger government to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of future flooding in the state.
At the national level, Idris recommended the creation of the Office of Risk Management of the Federation to coordinate and monitor risk management efforts across the country as a national security issue.
“There is also the urgent need to ensure disaster management agencies at the national, state and local government levels are manned by qualified risk management professionals.
“There is equally the need to upskill and equip all existing disaster management personnel for greater efficiency.
“The federal government also needs to evaluate existing early warning systems, evacuation plans and structural readiness, and review town planning and ensure strict enforcement of violations.
“There is also the urgent need for incorporation of disaster awareness and education into the national educational curriculum and the National Youth Service Corps scheme,” he said.
The president of the society also called for an upward review of budgetary allocations towards disaster prevention and providing relief to survivors.
He expressed confidence that the implementation of the aforementioned recommendations would enhance existing disaster management efforts and proactively reduce the avoidable, tragic human and economic losses.
He commended the sustained efforts of all stakeholders, especially NiMet, in providing regular weather forecasts.
He reiterated RIMSON’s commitment to sustained advocacy in promoting risk management awareness and education till it becomes a national culture that results in a more resilient, safe and prosperous nation.
The Police Command in Rivers has apprehended a suspected notorious car snatcher, believed to be involved in multiple vehicle hijackings within the state.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the command, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko said that the suspect was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. on May 5, along Abacha Road in Port Harcourt.
She explained that the suspect was intercepted by police operatives while riding a bicycle, adding that a search conducted on him led to the recovery of seven master keys.
”The suspect was immediately taken to the station for further questioning,” she disclosed.
The spokesperson said the suspect confessed during interrogation to his involvement in various criminal activities, including car snatching.
”He led police operatives to his residence, where officers recovered a red Hyundai Sonata saloon car with registration number EKY 531 GG, which had previously been reported stolen,” she added.
She further revealed that the suspect had provided valuable information to the police, including the identities of other gang members operating across Delta, Edo, and Lagos states.
Iringe-Koko said that a full investigation had been launched into the case and assured the public that the command would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
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