Olayiwola Matthew
President Bola Tinubu has said that Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), is doing an “excellent job” in coordinating the fight against banditry and terrorism.
Speaking on Monday in Yola, while inaugurating projects completed by the Adamawa state government, Tinubu said he is proud of Ribadu.
The president said the country would overcome terrorism and banditry under Ribadu’s leadership.
“I must say clearly here that you are doing an excellent job, and we have seen the results. With you, we will defeat the bandits and terrorists. You are a good national security adviser, honest, bold, courageous and committed to the job. I believe the state of Adamawa is strongly proud of you, because I am too,” Tinubu told the NSA, who hails from the north-east state.
Tinubu’s commendation of Ribadu comes amid the allegations levelled against the NSA by Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna.
Last month, el-Rufai accused the office of the national security adviser of procuring about 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic, colourless and odourless compound that can kill humans in small doses.
The ONSA denied the allegation and asked him to supply any evidence he has to the Department of State Services (DSS) for a thorough investigation.
Last Thursday, security operatives attempted to arrest el-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, when he touched down from Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
El-Rufai would later allege that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), at Ribadu’s instruction, asked DSS officials to arrest him upon arrival.
On Saturday, during an interview on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, el-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to the NSA directing security operatives to effect his arrest.
The DSS has filed a three-count charge against el-Rufai for allegedly intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation.