Ridadu: We drove from Abuja to Kaduna… we’ve killed those bastards terrorising the road
Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), says there is a significant improvement in security along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, attributing the development to a sustained military campaign against bandits in the region.
Ribadu spoke in Kaduna on Wednesday at the two-day interactive forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation
The NSA said he and other top officials deliberately drove the notorious Abuja-Kaduna route at night to send a clear message, saying “the area has been cleared of major threats”.
“You can now drive from Abuja to Kaduna safely at night because we have killed those bastards,” referring to notorious bandit leaders such as Kachalla Boka, Dogo Issa, and Kachalla Shekau,” he said.
“They were in control of those areas; we cleared them.”
He added that air and ground forces have been actively targeting gunrunners and militant strongholds, confiscating and destroying thousands of weapons in the process.
“Every day we are collecting weapons, eliminating their sources, and neutralizing threats in battle,” Ribadu said.
The NSA also referenced multiple foiled attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna train line, thanking the Nigerian Air Force for its efforts.
“They tried two or three times while we were in office, and we repelled them. But we don’t talk about it, we act.”
Ribadu added that government officials have been directed to avoid air travel on such routes to demonstrate confidence in the restored security.
“We stopped everyone from flying. Next time, when we go to Issa or Shinkafi, we will drive,” he said.
“Politics may not allow people to give us credit, but Nigerians — especially Northerners — will feel the difference. Things are changing.”
