The Presidency says Nigeria’s armed forces are recording significant but underreported gains in ongoing counterterrorism and internal security operations across the country.
Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the assertion in a statement on Tuesday, pointing to recent military successes as evidence of progress in the country’s asymmetric warfare challenges.
Onanuga highlighted the rescue of 13 kidnapped passengers in Benue State as one of several operations demonstrating improved security response.
The victims had been abducted from a Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo before troops of Sub-Sector 1B under Operation Whirl Stroke launched a search-and-rescue mission that led to their release on April 19.
He said three passengers escaped earlier, while the remaining 13—some of them students preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination—were rescued from a forested area in Ohimini Local Government Area.
Onanuga also cited operations across multiple states, including coordinated military actions in Plateau, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Kogi and Imo States.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested nine suspected ethnic militiamen linked to violent attacks, recovering firearms and ammunition during the operation.
In Borno State, troops under Operation Hadin Kai reportedly neutralised insurgents, repelled attacks and destroyed an improvised explosive device along key routes.
In Yobe State, security forces arrested suspected Islamic State West Africa Province logistics suppliers during joint operations with local hunters in Damaturu.
Further operations in Sokoto State saw troops repel an armed attack in Sabon Birni, while in Kogi State, a suspected terrorist camp was destroyed under Operation MESA.
In Imo State, security personnel discovered and safely defused improvised explosive devices, while in Edo State, troops foiled a kidnap attempt and arrested five suspects in Auchi.
Onanuga criticised what he described as selective reporting of security incidents, arguing that media narratives often amplify isolated attacks while overlooking broader operational gains by security forces.
He also disputed early claims that the Benue kidnappers were linked to external groups, saying security sources attributed the attack to local criminal elements instead.
He warned that inaccurate reporting could inflame ethnic tensions and distort public understanding of security challenges.
While acknowledging that insecurity persists, Onanuga said the overall direction of military operations shows improvement and deserves greater public recognition.
He also referenced the participation of Defence Minister Christopher Musa at a counterterrorism panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Türkiye, describing it as evidence of Nigeria’s expanding international security cooperation.
According to him, such engagements reflect growing diplomatic and operational efforts to strengthen intelligence sharing and global counterterrorism collaboration.
Onanuga concluded that while challenges remain, the armed forces are making steady progress and should be supported rather than criticised for isolated security incidents.
