Porous borders driving terrorism, arms flow, NSA Ribadu warns
By Seyi Odewale
National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that Nigeria’s porous borders have become major conduits for terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other transnational crimes, posing a serious threat to national security and economic stability.
Ribadu said criminal and terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting weaknesses along the country’s vast land and maritime borders to move weapons, fighters and illicit goods across territories, thereby undermining efforts to secure the nation.
The NSA spoke on Tuesday at the 15th National Security Seminar in Abuja, organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College.
Represented by the Director of Policy and Strategy at ONSA, Ambassador Yazid Gbemudu, Ribadu noted that Nigeria’s strategic location and extensive borders offer immense opportunities for trade, regional integration and economic development, but have also exposed the country to growing security risks.
According to him, the activities of criminal networks operating across borders continue to challenge national security agencies and threaten the country’s stability.
“These borders facilitate trade, regional integration and socio-economic development, but they also expose the country to threats such as terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, irregular migration and other forms of transnational organised crime,” he said.
Ribadu stressed that weak border governance has created security loopholes that are being exploited by criminal elements, worsening insecurity and frustrating development initiatives.
He warned that unless urgent steps are taken to strengthen border management, Nigeria could face even greater security challenges in the years ahead.
The NSA called for the full implementation of an integrated border management system to improve collaboration among security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
He said a coordinated approach involving all relevant institutions remains critical to addressing the evolving nature of security threats.
“Effective intelligence sharing, joint operations and harmonised border procedures are essential for addressing contemporary security threats,” he stated.
Ribadu also advocated increased deployment of technology to monitor and secure the country’s borders.
He identified biometric systems, advanced surveillance equipment, and data-driven monitoring frameworks as key tools for improving border control and detecting criminal activity.
According to him, technology-driven solutions will enhance security agencies’ capacity to track cross-border movements and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
The NSA further emphasised the need for stronger cooperation with neighbouring countries, noting that many of the security threats confronting Nigeria originate beyond its borders and require collective responses.
He said no country can successfully tackle transnational crimes in isolation, urging greater intelligence exchange and operational collaboration among countries within the region.
Beyond security measures, Ribadu advocated sustained investment in border communities, arguing that poverty, unemployment and poor infrastructure often make residents vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.
He said expanding economic opportunities, improving social services and developing critical infrastructure in border areas would help reduce the influence of criminal networks and strengthen community resilience.
The seminar brought together senior military officers, diplomats, security experts, academics, and policymakers to examine strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture.
Participants also explored ways to enhance regional cooperation, leverage technology, and improve institutional capacity to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and promote long-term stability.
Ribadu maintained that securing Nigeria’s borders remains a critical component of the broader national security strategy and is essential to sustaining peace, development and economic growth.
