National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a deeply flawed system, particularly in the area of national security.
Ribadu made the statement on Tuesday during a condolence visit to Benue State, following the killing of more than 72 residents by armed assailants identified as terrorists disguised as herdsmen.
Condemning the attacks, Ribadu appealed to the people of Benue to support the Tinubu-led government and refrain from politicizing the tragedy, stressing that such cooperation was crucial to restoring peace.
“Our Armed Forces are performing well, but it is impossible to deploy personnel to every hamlet. Give us a chance and stop politicizing the killings—this will help us restore peace. Security is a relative issue,” Ribadu said.
“We inherited a severely broken system. Things have improved, and we are committed to addressing the challenges. The damage was easy to cause; solving it takes time. We’ve already reduced the violence we met on the ground. We will tackle this too.”
Responding, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, described the situation as a somber one, noting that the state has been under siege and has suffered significant loss of life since 2011.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in violence across Benue and Plateau States. Just days after suspected armed herders killed over 50 farmers in Benue, fresh attacks were reported early Tuesday, as gunmen invaded Afia community in Ukum Local Government Area, killing 11 and injuring several others.
