We’ll chase out terrorist group Lukarawa from Nigeria – NSA Ribadu

By Kunle Sanni

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will drive the newly-emerged terrorist group “Lukarawa” out of Nigeria, particularly targeting their presence in the North-Western region.

Ribadu made the statement while representing President Tinubu at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

The NSA noted that progress has been made in many sectors since President Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, irrespective of political challenges.

“We will chase the so-called Lukarawa out of our country. We’ll put critics to shame and silence them. Boko Haram, which has been ravaging our country, is now on the run, with its members moving to neighboring countries because Nigeria is no longer conducive to their operations,” he said.

Ribadu also pointed to improvements in the economy, highlighting increased crude oil production in the Niger Delta and fiscal reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as indicators of progress.

“Crude oil production has reached 1.8 million barrels per day, and the Central Bank has been reformed; no one is taking unauthorized funds from the CBN. When we said we’d fix this country, we meant it—President Tinubu has never failed,” he asserted.

In his message delivered by Ribadu, President Tinubu expressed his unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s economic base and achieving sustainable growth. He emphasized that, 18 months after his inauguration, his vision remains clear and consistent.

“We have built on existing foundations while implementing necessary reforms to address our evolving economic realities. Our approach has been to reinforce what works, refine areas that need improvement, and introduce new measures where gaps exist.

“We recognized that certain economic policies, once useful, now needed to align with current global dynamics to better serve our national interests and our people’s well-being.”

The president commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for supporting his vision by enhancing Nigeria’s position as a trade-friendly nation through reforms in export promotion and port efficiency. He noted the NCS’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s improved global ranking and ease of doing business.

Reflecting on this year’s NCS conference theme, “NCS Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” President Tinubu said it aligns with his administration’s vision of fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen governance and economic management.

He further highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s achievements in revenue generation, enhancing the government’s capacity to fund critical national development projects.

The president affirmed Nigeria’s determination to integrate deeper into global value chains and strengthen its role as a reliable trading partner.

“Our commitment to sustainable economic reforms, trade facilitation, and an enabling business environment is firm and irreversible. We see our international partnerships as essential catalysts on our journey to becoming a more competitive player in global trade, particularly as we tap into expanding regional and continental markets.”