By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Defence Correspondents Association (DECAN) has honoured the National Security Association Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for strengthening Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign and recording outstanding gains in the anti-terror fight.
He was presented with the honour at the 3rd edition of the DECAN conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” which brought together senior military and security officials, government representatives, policymakers and journalists to examine emerging security threats and strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
The award was received by the Director Legal at the Office of the National Security Adviser Zakari Mijinyawa, on behalf of the National Security Adviser.
“In recognition of your 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 for 15 years, leading to loss of lives and property worth trillions of naira.
The federal government of Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, has arrested thousands of suspects, killed thousands, and recovered lost territories.
The federal government in October 2017 began mass trials of suspects in order to deliver justice to victims of terrorism in the country.
So far, the Federal Government has secured a total of 1,721 terrorism-related convictions since mass trials commenced.
The National Security Adviser, being the coordinator of the campaign, has continued to lead with excellence, degrading terrorists’ logistics, supplies, and their leadership structure.
In 2026 alone, the federal government secured 865 convictions, surpassing the combined total of 856 convictions achieved during the preceding nine years (2017–2025).
During the ninth phase of trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja, 386 convictions were secured out of 508 cases prosecuted before 10 judges, alongside 8 discharges and 2 acquittals.
Ongoing mass trials in Abuja and regional military facilities (such as Kainji) continue to prosecute hundreds of suspects, including high-profile Boko Haram and ISWAP members receiving sentences ranging from multi-year terms to life imprisonment and death by hanging.
Approximately 5,000 suspects remain in pre-trial detention facilities across the country as the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and the Ministry of Justice work to review pending case files.
Participants at the Conference deliberated on the role of technological innovation, intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and effective public communication in addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
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 among the media, government and security institutions.
