DECAN Honours NSA Ribadu for Gains in Nigeria’s Anti-Terrorism Campaign

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his leadership and contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign.

The award was presented at the third edition of the DECAN Conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.”

The conference brought together senior military and security officials, government representatives, policymakers and journalists to examine emerging security threats and strategies for strengthening the country’s national security architecture.

The award was received on behalf of the NSA by the Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa.

The citation recognised Ribadu’s “outstanding leadership, strategic coordination and dedicated service in strengthening and managing Nigeria’s national security architecture” as National Security Adviser to the President.

Nigeria has battled Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of terrorism for more than 15 years, resulting in thousands of deaths, displacement of communities and the destruction of property worth billions of naira.

However, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat terrorism through military operations, intelligence gathering, the disruption of terrorist financing and the prosecution of suspects.

As part of efforts to ensure accountability and justice for victims, the government commenced mass trials of terrorism suspects in October 2017.

Since the commencement of the trials, the Federal Government has secured a total of 1,721 terrorism-related convictions, with 2026 recording a significant increase.

In 2026 alone, the government secured 865 convictions, surpassing the combined 856 convictions recorded between 2017 and 2025.

During the ninth phase of the trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja, 386 convictions were secured out of 508 cases prosecuted before 10 judges. The proceedings also resulted in eight discharges and two acquittals.

The mass trials, conducted in Abuja and other designated facilities, including military-linked facilities in Kainji, have involved hundreds of suspects accused of membership of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Sentences handed down in terrorism-related cases have ranged from several years of imprisonment to life imprisonment and death sentences, depending on the offences established before the courts.

Meanwhile, approximately 5,000 suspects remain in pre-trial detention facilities across the country, as the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and the Ministry of Justice continue efforts to review pending case files and facilitate prosecution.

Ribadu, as National Security Adviser and coordinator of the country's national security framework, has played a central role in coordinating security agencies and strengthening intelligence-led operations against terrorist groups.

The Federal Government's counterterrorism strategy has also focused on disrupting terrorists' logistics and supply networks, weakening their leadership structures and improving collaboration among security agencies.

Participants at the DECAN conference examined the importance of technological innovation, intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and effective public communication in responding to Nigeria's evolving security challenges.

The discussions also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among security institutions, government agencies and the media to improve national security outcomes.

DECAN is a professional association of journalists covering defence, security and military affairs in Nigeria. The association promotes accurate and responsible security reporting while fostering constructive engagement between the media, government and security institutions.