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Tag: Nuhu Ribadu

  • Ribadu Meets US Vice President J.D. Vance, Rubio Over Counterterrorism Partnership

    Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has met with United States Vice President J.D. Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa.

    The development was disclosed in a post shared on X by Secure Nigeria, a platform focused on security-related issues in the country.

    Nigeria, US Strengthen Security Cooperation

    According to the post, the meeting further reinforced the partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism across the West African region.

    The platform also stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates the continued support and partnership of the US government under President Donald Trump.

    “@officialABAT is grateful for @realDonaldTrump’s partnership and continued U.S. training and intelligence support as Nigerian forces intensify operations to dismantle terrorist networks, protect Nigerian Christians, and defend all vulnerable communities,” the statement read.

    Nigeria Described as Key US Ally

    The post described Nigeria as one of America’s frontline allies against terrorism in Africa, particularly in the battle against Boko Haram, ISIS-linked groups, and growing security threats across the Sahel region.

    “Africa’s largest democracy isn’t wavering. Nigeria stands as a frontline U.S. partner against ISIS, Boko Haram, and rising terror threats across the Sahel,” the statement added.

    It further stressed that both countries remain committed to defeating terrorism and strengthening regional security cooperation.

    “This fight is winnable, and together, the U.S. and Nigeria intend to finish it,” the post stated.

    Previous Engagements With US Officials

    The latest meeting comes months after Ribadu led a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials to Washington, DC, in November 2025 for discussions with American authorities.

    In December 2025, the NSA also hosted a delegation from the United States Congress in Abuja.

    The delegation included senior lawmakers such as Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani, and Riley Moore.

    The engagements are part of ongoing diplomatic and security discussions between both countries as concerns over terrorism and regional instability continue to grow.

  • DSS Arraigns El-Rufai Over Alleged Wiretapping of Ribadu’s Phone, Files Fresh Charges

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai before a federal high court in Abuja over allegations of illegally accessing the phone conversation of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

    Fresh charges filed in court

    At Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the charge had been amended from three to five counts.

    Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently struck out the earlier charges and allowed the amended five-count charge to stand.

    El-Rufai, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

    What led to the case

    The charges are linked to remarks made by el-Rufai in February during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.

    He had claimed that individuals aligned with him listened to Ribadu’s phone conversation, alleging that the NSA directed security operatives to arrest him.

    “He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways,” el-Rufai said at the time.

    He further alleged that Ribadu’s phone was tapped and that the information was passed to him.

    Mixed reactions trail allegations

    The comments triggered widespread reactions across Nigeria, with some Nigerians and political stakeholders calling for his arrest over the alleged wiretapping.

    Others, however, argued that the former governor should not be singled out, accusing the government of similar actions against citizens.

    Political tension in the background

    El-Rufai, once a strong ally of President Bola Tinubu, has in recent months been openly critical of the administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    His arraignment has been described by opposition figures as politically motivated, though the federal government has denied any witch-hunt.

    The case is expected to continue in court as attention builds around one of the most talked-about developments in latest Nigerian news and breaking news Nigeria today.