Presidential Aide Daniel Bwala Claims Nigeria's Insecurity Has Not Worsened
Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that the security situation in Nigeria is not deteriorating, despite recent attacks and kidnappings across various regions of the country. Bwala made these remarks during an appearance on Al Jazeera's Head to Head programme with journalist Mehdi Hasan at Conway Hall in London, where he addressed growing concerns about violence and terrorist activities.
Addressing Security Concerns and International Cooperation
Bwala acknowledged the presence of insecurity in Nigeria but firmly rejected claims that it has worsened under the current administration. "I acknowledge the fact that we have insecurity in Nigeria, and until the hoax narrative of the 'Christians genocide,' we began to see back-to-back attacks in the country," he stated. "For the first two years of the present administration, we experienced substantial peace in Nigeria."
He emphasized that no country in the world is completely free from insecurity, drawing parallels to parts of London where safety concerns exist during evening hours. Bwala highlighted the Federal Government's strengthened international partnerships to combat terrorism, noting bilateral agreements with Turkey and cooperation with the United States and other nations. "That is one of the reasons the President travelled to Turkey, where we reached a bilateral agreement to deal with insecurity," he explained.
Counter-Terrorism Efforts and Progress
According to Bwala, the government has made significant progress in combating extremist groups through strategic arrests and military operations. He revealed that leaders of Boko Haram and Lakurawa were arrested six months prior, with numerous terrorists eliminated before that. These efforts received commendation from the US State Department and Embassy. "We declared national emergency on insecurity six months before Donald Trump's statement. That was around April or May 2025," Bwala noted, underscoring proactive measures taken by the administration.
Kidnapping as a Growing Crime Economy
Bwala acknowledged that kidnappings have evolved into a growing criminal enterprise in certain parts of Nigeria, describing it as a "crisis economy." He attributed this to Nigeria's complex geography and the multifaceted nature of security challenges. "If one understands Nigeria's geography and the nature of insecurity, one will understand that we are confronting a complex, hydra-headed problem," he said.
To address this, the government has implemented the Safe Schools Initiative, relocating students from vulnerable remote areas to safer urban centres and state capitals. "Regarding the kidnapping of children, the government has implemented the Safe Schools Initiative, relocating students from remote, insecure areas to state capitals so they can access the education they need safely," Bwala emphasized.
Criticism of Western Media Narratives
The presidential aide also criticized some Western media organizations for presenting Nigeria and Africa in a negative light, arguing that international coverage often focuses on negative developments rather than progress. "Before the President took office, we knew the situation in Nigeria. When he decided to take bold steps to place the country on a better trajectory, we were well aware of the fact that it was going to incense lots of people," he stated, using a metaphor to illustrate his point about media bias.
Bwala's comments come amid renewed attacks across Nigeria, including kidnappings of schoolchildren, assaults on religious centres, and other violent incidents affecting multiple communities. Despite these challenges, he insisted that the government is working tirelessly to improve security. "I can't say it is getting worse. As a government, we are working day and night to deal with the situation. I don't agree to the fact that it (insecurity) is getting worse," he concluded.
