The Presidency has disclosed that Nigeria is collaborating with intelligence agencies from Israel, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to adopt an intelligence-based approach to tackling insecurity across the country.
It also stated that Nigeria would collaborate with any nation, including North Korea, if such cooperation aligns with its security and economic interests.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, made the disclosure on Monday during an interview on Arise News’ Daybreak programme.
Oshodi dismissed a recommendation by the US Congress urging Nigeria to divest from Russian and Chinese partnerships to strengthen ties with Washington.
“We have intelligence-based solutions now. We are arresting people. Recently, those who killed people in the church in Ondo State, that is intelligence-based,” Oshodi said.
“Prior to that, sometimes militants just get killed. Now they’re bringing them to court. We are checking bank accounts. They’re freezing bank accounts. That’s intelligence-based.”
He explained that Nigeria’s shift from kinetic military operations to intelligence-driven security responses marks a significant evolution in its counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategies.
According to him, tackling insecurity and terrorist financing requires sustained international cooperation.
“This money, funds are passed through the SWIFT system around the world and shadowy systems. We need international collaboration. That’s where the Americans come in. That’s where the British, the French come in, the Chinese,” he stated.
The disclosure comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent military exchanges involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Oshodi said the multilateral intelligence cooperation framework is designed to track terrorist financing, identify sponsors of insurgency, and build prosecutable cases against suspects rather than relying solely on military force.
He cited the arrest of suspects linked to the Ondo church attack as evidence of the effectiveness of the intelligence-based strategy.
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges. These include the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, separatist agitations in the South-East, and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Oshodi maintained that Nigeria would not compromise its sovereignty or restrict its partnerships based on pressure from any country.
“Nigeria will do whatever it can legally to ensure we have a safe, prosperous economy. It is our interest. We have to think about interest, not emotions, not sentiments,” he said.
“If the North Koreans are going to give us security, we will work with them. If the Americans are going to give us security, we work with them.”
He dismissed concerns about potential US sanctions over religious freedom issues or Nigeria’s ties with China and Russia.
“I believe America knows the pivotal importance of Nigeria in West Africa and Africa and even the global scene,” Oshodi said, noting Nigeria’s strategic role in the oil and gas sector.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s relationship with the United States and other global powers must be built on mutual respect and recognition of sovereignty.
“If the Americans want to support us, they will support us, respecting our interests and sovereignty. That is what we should focus on,” he added.
The Presidency said the intelligence cooperation framework leverages the comparative strengths of partner nations, including advanced surveillance capabilities, investigative expertise, regional knowledge, and counter-terrorism experience.
Oshodi expressed optimism that continued collaboration would enhance security outcomes and contribute to a more stable West Africa.
