CSGG Deputy Secretary-General Defends Ribadu, Musa, Says NYSC Abduction Must Not Be Used for Political Propaganda
CSGG Deputy Secretary-General Defends Ribadu, Musa, Says NYSC Abduction Must Not Be Used for Political Propaganda
ABUJA — The National Deputy Secretary-General of Citizens Support for Good Governance (CSGG), Hon. Francis Mathew Bobai, has defended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), against what he described as attempts to portray Nigeria’s security leadership as more interested in politics than the protection of citizens.
Francis Mathew , who spoke with journalists in Kubwa, Abuja, said the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State was a deeply disturbing incident that demanded the full attention of the security agencies, but cautioned against turning the tragedy into a political weapon.
Twenty prospective corps members were reportedly abducted along the Owerri–Onitsha Road on October 1. Security agencies subsequently intensified intelligence-led search-and-rescue operations, with the Imo State Police Command reporting that the suspected kidnappers’ location had been identified through intelligence and drone surveillance, although concerns over suspected explosives at the camp complicated the operation.
“The families of these young Nigerians have every right to be worried, angry and desperate to see their loved ones return safely. But that pain must not be exploited for political purposes,” Francis said.
He specifically rejected the suggestion that General Musa and Mallam Ribadu are neglecting their security responsibilities because of political engagements.
According to him, “The National Security Adviser and the Minister of Defence have clearly defined responsibilities within Nigeria’s security architecture. Their participation in political activities does not mean that the security responsibilities of their offices have been abandoned.”
Francis said available evidence demonstrates that both officials remain involved in national security coordination.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently received General Musa to review ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations, frontline operational requirements and inter-agency security strategies.
He also recalled that Mallam Ribadu recently led Nigeria’s delegation to the Nigeria–United States Joint Working Group in Washington, where security and intelligence cooperation, counter-terrorism, protection of vulnerable communities, intelligence gathering and coordination, border control and the Defence Roadmap were discussed.
Francis , further pointed out that President Tinubu has placed both Ribadu and Musa on the committee responsible for developing a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan, alongside the country’s military, intelligence and security leadership.
“If Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and General Christopher Musa were genuinely unconcerned about Nigeria’s security, why would they be central members of the strategic framework being developed to strengthen our national security architecture?” Bobai asked.
He stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot reasonably be reduced to the activities of two individuals.
“The security of Nigeria is a collective responsibility involving the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, intelligence agencies, state governments, local communities and citizens. When an incident happens, we should ask what went wrong and what can be done better, but we should also recognise the coordinated efforts already taking place,” he said.
Bobai said the ongoing response to the Imo abduction illustrates the importance of inter-agency cooperation, noting that police, military and other security agencies have been involved in the search-and-rescue efforts.
He therefore urged Nigerians and the media to maintain pressure for the safe rescue of the victims while avoiding narratives that could undermine ongoing operations.
“Our priority should be the safe return of the abducted NYSC members. Let us demand results, let us demand accountability, but let us not confuse legitimate scrutiny with political propaganda,” he stated.
Bobai added that criticism of government security policy was legitimate in a democracy, but said such criticism should be based on verifiable facts rather than assumptions about the motives of individual security officials.
“Nobody is saying Nigeria’s security challenges have disappeared. They have not. What we are saying is that we must be fair in assessing those responsible for addressing them. General Christopher Musa and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu should be judged by their documented responsibilities and actions, not by an attempt to connect every security incident to political activity,” he said.
The CSGG Deputy Secretary-General called for stronger intelligence sharing, improved operational coordination, community cooperation and sustained action against criminal networks.
“The families are waiting. The nation is waiting. Let the security agencies do everything within their capacity to bring these young Nigerians home safely. That is the conversation Nigeria needs right now,” Bobai said.
