The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has urged security administrators to sustain recent gains in the nation’s security landscape.

Mr Ribadu made the call in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of the Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM).

The meeting was held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser.

He said the meeting was taking place at a critical time when the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has been working assiduously to tackle insecurity and ensure peace and prosperity across Nigeria.

According to him, the administration has repositioned the Armed Forces for more effective counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations through enhanced coordination, procurement of modern platforms, and improved inter-agency synergy.

“These measures have produced tangible results, including the degradation of insurgents, surrender of thousands of terrorists and their families, and the liberation of many areas previously held by bandits in parts of Kaduna and Katsina States,” he said.

The NSA also disclosed that the recently launched Forest Guards Initiative was aimed at sanitising forest reserves that had become safe havens for criminals.

He reaffirmed government’s resolve to flush out all criminal elements nationwide.

He added that separatist threats in the South-East and South-South had reduced considerably, while maritime security had improved, leading to increased crude oil production above Nigeria’s OPEC quota.

Mr Ribadu charged participants to redouble their efforts and provide actionable recommendations that would help government consolidate the gains made in national security.

Earlier, Muhammed Danjuma, the permanent secretary in the Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Federation, said the meeting would deliberate on critical national issues.

These, he said, include the operationalisation of the Forest Guard Initiative, the activities of scavengers (“Baban Bola”), rising incidents of disasters, and illegal mining.

Mr Danjuma said the Forest Guard Initiative would initially be piloted in seven states, including Adamawa, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, and Yobe, before expansion to others.

He warned that the activities of scavengers, including vandalism of critical national infrastructure and handling of unexploded ordnance, had become a major national threat requiring urgent regulation.

He also lamented the growing cases of tanker explosions, road crashes, flooding, and illegal mining linked to insecurity, urging the forum to generate practical recommendations for government consideration.

The meeting, which brought together security administrators from all 36 states and the FCT, is expected to produce strategic resolutions to strengthen national and subnational security coordination.

(NAN)