Those who have worked closely with the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu can attest to what he is capable of doing when it comes to achieving goals in security matters. His antecedents also speak for him, particularly during his days as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC boss. In this article, Ade Samuel used the restoration of calm in Abuja – Kaduna highway in less than two years after assuming office by Ribadu to showcase the scorecards in security by  the Renewed Hope Agenda of  Bola Ahmed Tninubu Administration. Excerpt.

 The last government-citizen engagement session organised by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, indeed presented opportunity for the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to showcase scored-card in the area of security within the last two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.It also showed how commitments to duty, passion and patriotism can change things in a short time frame. Just few days before the administration of President Tinubu took over the reins of power and appointed Ribadu, Abuja-Kaduna expressway was notorious for attacks by Bandits, Kidnappers and armed robbers. The security threat was so high that even the railway train connecting Abuja to Kaduna was attacked and some Passengers were kidnapped. Speaking about the train attack and the general insecurity in Kaduna and other parts of North West, an analyst described it this way; “on 28 March, bandits attacked a Kaduna-bound train in central Nigeria carrying 970 passengers. At least eight people were killed, and 168 were kidnapped and are still missing. This unprecedented act of violence, attributed to the failure of authorities to act on intelligence reports, has heightened concerns about a breakdown of security in the country.“Institute for Security Studies research has shown an increasing nexus between bandits and jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and Ansaru. These violent extremists are key players in the violent crimes and terror activities in north-west and north-central Nigeria.The train was attacked at night, about 89 km from Abuja station. The assailants used explosives to blow up the rail track before firing at commuters. Within 24 hours, another assault was carried out on the same stretch of tracks using improvised explosive devices, forcing the train travelling from Kaduna to Abuja to stop.“The rail line between the cities was first hit in October 2021, when bandits destroyed a portion of the track with explosives. The recent attacks are much more serious and signal a new trend of targeting state infrastructure. The motive is apparently to cause mass casualties and terror along a major public transport corridor. No one has been arrested in connection with the crimes.“The 28 March incidents are part of a new trend that has seen the bandits become bolder, with attacks on government infrastructure such as a military base and an airport in Kaduna State. Military bases are usually targeted for their ammunition. The airport strike was the first attempt at aviation terrorism in Nigeria.“Kaduna State has strategic and economic importance. It is Nigeria’s centre of military education and security planning, and the gateway to the north that houses critical infrastructure such as airports and railway stations.“The Abuja-Kaduna railway, inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari for commercial services in July 2016, is vital to Kaduna – a major industrial and administrative city in Nigeria’s north. The Abuja-Kaduna train generates at least N300 000 000 for the country every month and has improved the country’s investment potential. It promotes business, travel and cargo transport between the two major cities. Economic development along the railway line and in nearby cities has also been boosted.“The line promised relief to many commuters as a safer alternative to the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which has been a kidnapping hotspot for years. Last month’s attacks could reverse all these gains. They threaten the future of public transport in Nigeria, as well as local economies in Kaduna State and adjoining north-western states.“The Abuja-Kaduna Railway Project generates at least N300 000 000 for the country every month“The Nigeria Railway Corporation may also see a drop in business turnover and increased operation costs. The recent attack has already crippled the commuter train service and threatens plans to resuscitate the Lagos-Kano, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri, and Zaria-Kaura Namoda rail networks.“The Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, visited the attack site. Soldiers and other security agencies have intensified their search-and-rescue operations to secure the unconditional release of the kidnapped victims. These actions have so far been unsuccessful.“Given the bandits’ changing modus operandi, multi-pronged solutions are needed. Existing security approaches must be reinvigorated, starting with the federal government prioritising targeted visible policing as part of a broader security strategy. This could be carried out by a multi-agency task force comprising the army, police, National Identity Management Commission and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.“Nigeria’s security forces are already overstretched, and securing extensive rail networks across vast geographic areas will be difficult. Modern security hardware and surveillance technology such as drones and trackers are needed in trains for early detection and prevention.“Kaduna State is replete with critical security institutions, including elite military establishments, police colleges and the Nigerian Defense Industry. These institutions should be mobilised as part of the multi-agency response. At the very least, their location in Kaduna should make these attacks a federal government priority.”Now, there’s no gainsaying that Ribadu being a man of conviction and determination when he sets a target has proved that President Tinubu made the right decision for the appointment of Ribadu to the exalted position that did not follow the trends of past appointments that always favour the military. Hence, the threat of insecurity along Abuja- Kaduna highway has become a thing of the past in less than two years. The Abuja – Kaduna trip by road last week attended by top government officials, including several ministers, all of whom travelled is an indication that it’s not about rhetoric but leadership by example and connecting with the people.The NSA revealed that they deliberately chose to travel by road at night to demonstrate the improved security situation along the highways.According to him, “You drive from Abuja to Kaduna now because we killed those bastards: Kachalla Boka, Dogo Isah, and Kachalla Shekau were in control of those areas. Even last night, we drove from Abuja; all the ministers, we stopped everyone from flying.””The Abuja-Kaduna expressway, once notorious for frequent kidnappings and deadly ambushes, has witnessed a significant turnaround.”He attributed the change to the joint efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been working to dismantle terrorist strongholds in the region.The NSA disclosed that several notorious terrorist leaders who operated along the highway have been killed in recent operations. He mentioned names like Kachalla Boka, Dogo Isah, and Kachalla Shekau, who were said to have controlled large parts of the corridor. Ribadu explained the elimination of the bad boys played a key role in restoring safety and ensuring the free movement of people, especially during the night. He also addressed concerns about the Abuja-Kaduna train, which has been a target of several terrorist plots in the past.Ribadu said that attempts to attack the train in recent times have been foiled by vigilant security personnel, reaffirming the government’s commitment to securing all transportation routes.The NSA stressed that these recent victories should not be seen as the end of security threats but rather as signs that the country is making serious headway in its fight against terrorism.He urged citizens to support ongoing efforts by cooperating with security agencies and remaining vigilant.With these new developments, the government hopes to restore full confidence among Nigerians who rely on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor for travel and commerce. Ribadu’s assurance is expected to resonate with commuters and residents who have long endured fear and uncertainty on the highway.