Tinubu saved Nigeria from being overrun by terrorists – Bwala

Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, asserts that Nigeria would have been "overrun" by terrorists without the resolute actions of the Tinubu administration. The security situation inherited by the government was exacerbated by the proliferation of terrorist organizations throughout the Sahel, a region spanning Africa.

Bwala argued that the scale of the threat demanded a combination of domestic security measures, military intervention, and international cooperation. During an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Bwala stated that the migration of terrorist groups across the Sahel had created a broader regional security issue that could potentially spill into Nigeria, especially through the country's northern borders.

He emphasized that the presence of terrorist groups like ISIS and the Taliban in the Sahel region posed an additional layer of challenge to Nigeria's existing security issues. According to Bwala, these groups were actively seeking opportunities to establish themselves and expand their operations within Nigeria. He stated that the administration's response involved strengthening international partnerships alongside deploying Nigeria's security agencies, asserting that such decisive action was necessary due to the seriousness of the threat.

While acknowledging that insecurity remained a significant concern in some areas, Bwala argued that the overall security environment had improved enough for government institutions to operate more effectively in previously vulnerable regions. However, he maintained that the government's response should be evaluated through its counter-terrorism efforts and the extent to which security forces had prevented terrorist groups from taking over larger territories.

Bwala emphasized that the Federal Government could not bear the entire responsibility for Nigeria's security challenges. He argued that state and local governments must also play a more active role in addressing threats within their jurisdictions. He stressed that the Federal Government could not be expected to respond effectively to every localized security incident across the country.