“We Inherited a Time Bomb” – NSA Ribadu Says Tinubu Fighting Ghosts of a Broken Past

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has broken his silence on Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, declaring that President Bola Tinubu inherited not just a troubled country—but the aftermath of what he described as “an extremely bad government.”
Ribadu made the statement during a solemn visit to Benue State, where over 72 people were brutally murdered in recent attacks by terrorists disguised as herdsmen.
The security chief didn’t hold back, saying the current administration is battling the consequences of years of failure.
“We inherited a country in deep distress,” Ribadu said. “To cause harm is easy, but fixing it is a long, difficult journey. We’re on that road—and progress is being made.”
While condemning the carnage, Ribadu appealed to residents not to politicize the killings but to give the Tinubu-led government time and trust.
“Our Armed Forces are doing their best. It’s not possible to place soldiers in every village,” he explained. “Stop turning this into politics. Help us help you. We will confront this violence, just as we’ve reduced other threats across the country.”
In response, Governor Hyacinth Alia called the moment a dark chapter in Benue’s long struggle with bloodshed, revealing that the state has faced unimaginable loss since 2011.