By Esther Onyegbula

A United States-based legal practitioner, Christmas Akpodiete, has commended Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, for what he described as “exceptional performance” in addressing the country’s security challenges, citing improvements in counter-terrorism, anti-kidnapping operations, and institutional reforms.

In a statement, Akpodiete said Ribadu’s tenure since June 2023 has marked a strategic shift toward intelligence-driven operations, improved inter-agency coordination, and stronger international collaboration.

He noted that security forces, under the NSA’s coordination, have recorded significant gains, including the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, as well as the arrest of over 17,000 suspects as of mid-2025. He also highlighted the killing of several notorious bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu Sububu and Boderi Isyaku, describing it as a major blow to criminal networks in the North-West.

On kidnapping, Akpodiete cited the rescue of hundreds of abducted victims, including over 130 Kuriga schoolchildren in Kaduna State. He added that the establishment of a Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell has improved operational coordination and response efficiency.

The lawyer also praised efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework through the National Cyber Crime Centre, as well as reforms at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, aimed at digitising petition and investigation processes to improve transparency and efficiency.

In the area of economic security, he said Ribadu has expanded the scope of national security to include oil theft, illicit financial flows, and currency speculation, noting that intensified operations in the Niger Delta have helped curb crude oil theft.