Mahdi Shehu, a well-known social commentator and activist, has sparked a heated debate on social media after criticizing National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, over his recent remarks about security in Northern Nigeria. Shehu took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, drawing attention to what he perceives as Ribadu’s blatant disregard for the realities on the ground.
In a scathing post, Shehu mocked Ribadu’s claim that the security situation in the North has improved to the point where people can comfortably travel by road from Abuja to Kaduna at night without fear. This remark, made during a recent event, has been met with widespread skepticism, particularly given the ongoing concerns about banditry, kidnappings, and other violent crimes in the region.
Shehu’s criticism extended to a previous statement Ribadu made at the combined convocation of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, where the NSA similarly downplayed security threats in the Northwest. According to Shehu, Ribadu’s assertions are not only inaccurate but dangerously misleading, akin to claiming that Washington, D.C., is the capital of Adamawa State during an exam and expecting to pass with flying colors.
“It’s clear that Nuhu Ribadu is completely disconnected from the realities on the ground,” Shehu declared. “He needs to review the crime reports across the North and other parts of Nigeria to understand the escalating insecurity.”
Shehu didn’t stop there. He questioned Ribadu’s competency in handling security matters, accusing him of pretending to be an expert on intelligence gathering, a field Shehu insists requires specialized training far beyond Ribadu’s experience in policing and anti-corruption efforts.
“In other serious nations, when public officials exhibit such glaring ignorance about their responsibilities, they are quickly referred to clinical psychologists or occupational therapists for evaluation. It’s a necessary step to prevent mental health crises while on duty,” Shehu added pointedly.
He concluded his post with a challenge to Ribadu: “The NSA should travel those roads at night himself, with no security convoy, and witness the dangers firsthand. Otherwise, he should consider undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental health fitness for the job.”
Shehu’s post has since gone viral, igniting intense conversations about the state of security in Northern Nigeria and whether public officials like Ribadu are truly in touch with the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
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