Nuhu Ribadu, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, has formally taken over as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) from Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd).
At a brief ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Ribadu promised to live up to Nigerians’ aspirations and secure the country from all types of insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, among others.
“We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country and we will make Nigeria peaceful because we believe time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order and rule of law just like any other country in the world,” Ribadu said as he assumed office.
“Securing the nation is a continuous process. We will look at what has been done and build on it. We will count on your support in the course of discharging our responsibilities.
“Mr. President has a huge commitment to securing every inch of our country. We will work with all stakeholders to deliver on this vision.
“This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians, and all friends of Nigeria,” he stated, according to a statement by the NSA Office.
Ribadu, the first Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was earlier appointed as President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Security on June 15, 2023.
However, four days later, in an unprecedented shift in the country’s security architecture, the President fired Monguno and appointed Ribadu as his replacement.
With the assumption of the newly appointed heads, there has been a change of baton in all of the security agencies involved in the previous week.
Those affected in the unprecedented shakeup include Alkali Usman, who was removed as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Lucky Irabor, sacked as the Chief of Defence Staff; Faruk Yahaya, retired as the Chief of Army Staff; Awwal Gambo, removed as the Chief of Naval Staff; and Isiaka Amao, retired as Chief of Air Staff.
Maj. Gen. C.G Musa is now the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen T. A Lagbaja is now the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla now the Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar now the Chief of Air Staff, IGP Kayode Egbetokun now the Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye is now the Chief of Defense Intelligence.
Adeniyi Adewale takes over as Acting Comptroller General of Customs from Hameed Ali.
Ribadu, who was born in Adamawa State on November 21, 1960, led the EFCC from 2003 to 2007.
From 1980 to 1983, Ribadu studied law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State, earning a Bachelor of Laws degree. He was called to the bar in 1984 after a year at the Nigerian Law School. He also received his Master of Laws from the same university.
Ribadu prosecuted his supervisor, the then-Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed, and ordered to repay roughly £150 million as part of a plea bargain.
Ribadu was succeeded as EFCC chief by AIG Farida Waziri (ret.) in 2007.
