Nuhu Ribadu: heads up, chin up and wheels up — by Tahir Ibrahim

I have come to understand why some politicians love to hate mallam Nuhu Ribadu. He brandishes an integrity card that most public servants do not hold today. His years as the anti corruption czar has armed him with a wealth of experience and a bouquet of medals that have defined him as a man of integrity and a deep sense of patriotism. Nigeria benefitted from these outstanding and admirable qualities recently when the US’s attention was focused on Nigeria’s insecurity situation, as it sought to understand and find solutions to our complex insecurity problems. Ribadu as National Security Adviser, NSA, leveraged on his connections and reputation in the international community to engage American authorities in Congress and in defense; so that Nigeria can have a fair bargain from the US’s decisions and actions going forward. Ribadu’s deployment of fine diplomatic and non kinetic approaches to handling an impending US attack on Nigerian soil, re-negotiated America’s line of action from a confrontational intervention, to a partnership. A partnership of resources, intelligence, and military equipment along with limited personnel engagement; which comprises training and support.

The very recent ISWAP attack on Niger Republic’s International Airport was masterminded from Nigeria. This highlights the huge existential threat Nigeria is facing. Not from Boko Haram or Banditry and IPOBism; but from a more sophisticated and robust ISWAP army that is gaining influence and spread, ably utilising modern warfare paraphernalia including weaponised drones. The US is supporting Nigeria with a lot of ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) equipment to match and defeat the ISWAP tendencies in the West African sub-region. Nigeria has always been the stabilising factor in the region and has suffered more pain and resources from the fall of the sahel to terrorism in the last decade. To face these tendencies including local terrorism, the Nigerian military has gone through a lot of upgrade especially in airpower with purchases like: 24 M-346 fighter ground attack aircraft, 12 AH – 1Z Viper attack helicopters, and 10 AW – 109 Trekker helicopters; with new engagements in Turkey and Italy for the purchase of more military aerial firepower. The Nigerian military has also unveiled its first locally produced weaponised drones, (known as UCAV, unmanned combat aerial vehicles), developed with Briech UAS, with its key assets including Chinese made CH – 3A, CH – 4, and Wing Loong II drones. The Nigerian Navy too is now rated the best in Africa. Acquisitions such as the 38 metre patrol vessels, Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters and the Landing Ship transport have given the navy a bit of “Mojo”, with incoming additions from China and Turkey underway. It is also focusing on local/ indigenous production as it is now engaging with international partners for technology transfer. The transformation of the Nigerian army in the adoption of newer technologies for improved warfare has been a lot less rigid, as before now, our military failed to quickly embrace modern technology in the execution of its wars. Ribadu’s tenure as a non-military NSA has enhanced the platform for the reinvention of our military’s upgrade, to one with more ISR and UCAV capabilities.

Controversial and weighty comments in public discourse relating to the office of the NSA must be handled with prudence and calm. It is in the interest of the nation that the NSA’s office is devoid of politics and political brickbat. We are at a cross-road where focus and professionalism must be deployed to the utmost, so as to handle newer and more advanced security threats to our sovereignty. We need Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to remain focused on handling security issues of the country, especially at a time when the US is deploying military assets in the country and has brought all of its attention here, partnering Nigeria in the war against terrorism. It is a pity that Nuhu Ribadu is facing backlash and distraction from his fellow Northerners. Naja’atu and Elrufai have been cajoling him to a muddy fight which only benefits them. They distract him and gain opposition points, seemingly standing up to authority as they try to build stature and relevance in opposition politics. The phone-tap and the toxic Thallium Sulphate procurement accusations are mere gambits by Nasiru. It is cheap and simple gaslighting, knowing how gullible the Nigerian audience can be. In an era where ignorance, misinformation and fake news reign supreme, with AI giving more trouble than the trio, ridiculous statements like this are meant to generate attention, confusion and suspicion. Ribadu must tiptoe away from it.

Mallam Nuhu, must ignore Mallam Nasir the way he ignored Naja’atu. You are Mr. President’s most trusted appointee by virtue of your office. You have the longest political history with him and you must reckon that attacks on you are attacks on the very fulcrum of your principal’s govt. A success in attacks on your person is like a death knell to the administration. So you must see Mr. NSA, that the jabs and the teases have far much wider implications than you in particular. You must allow the EFCC, NAFDAC, and the DSS to deploy their authorities and their resources to get to the bottom of all the surrounding issues and controversies therein. You must work like a marathon runner and deny yourself the ovation from smaller victories while you work on the successes of the long run, where you will come out with flying colors at the end. You must put your head down and place Nigeria above everything else, and continue to master and perfect the plan of making it safer and more secure. This is my heads-up to you, so you recognise what is at stake is bigger than you may be led to believe. You must take these attacks in your chin and continue to execute your counter-terrorism programmes more diligently. Mallam Nuhu, your mission must continue to be “wheels up”, over and above all the noise and its producers. Just do what you must do, to rid Nigeria of terrorism and may God help you brother.

–Tahir is Talban of Bauchi