Presidency Says Foreign Interests May Be Fuelling Nigeria’s Security Crisis

By Victor Idajili

The Presidency has suggested that external forces may be contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, pointing to international claims and recent developments as possible indicators.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, made the comments during The Link Up Podcast, a panel discussion by EchoRoom released on Friday.

  
Bwala referenced protests in parts of northern Nigeria where demonstrators were seen carrying Russian flags. He said the incident raised questions about whether Nigeria’s security problems extend beyond its borders.

“If you remember, there was a decision the Federal Government of Nigeria made at that time, immediately we started seeing these people in Nigeria lifting Russian flags,” he said.

He also cited a claim by US Congressman Scott Perry during a congressional hearing, where Perry alleged that the CIA funded Boko Haram and ISIS .  

Bwala said he was not confirming the allegation, but noted that such discussions  were happening at the  international level.

“I wouldn’t say that, but I will tell you what I saw. When they were having the congressional  hearing, I don’t know whether it is true or not, because he’s not a Nigerian, but I’m just  providing facts to you  to tell you that conversations like that have gone on,” he said.
 
“Scott Perry was interrogating the CIA director, and he was telling him that their congressional finding suggests that the CIA was funding Boko Haram and ISIS. So, me,  I’m not saying he’s right  or he’s wrong. But what I’m saying is that an event like that has occurred, and as a country, we cannot hear that and say you are a liar.”

Bwala also alleged that a disagreement between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force during the Buhari administration affected counterterrorism operations. He said requests for air cover were sometimes not honoured due to poor coordination between the then Chief of Air Staff and Army leadership.

“In this administration, it is not so. There is coordination or cooperation,” he added.

On claims that terrorists may have infiltrated security agencies, Bwala dismissed suggestions that the military deliberately shields insurgents, describing it  as speculation without evidence.

However, he  acknowledged that isolated cases of infiltration cannot be ruled out, citing past arrests of police and soldiers linked to criminal activity, including a senior police officer allegedly arrested with Chinese  nationals.

“This will happen anywhere in the world. Snowden was a contractor for the US national security. These are elements that can happen, and why I didn’t want to talk much about that is because there are measures we’re taking and we don’t want people to know,” he said.

 
Speaking on the Tinubu administration, Bwala said the government  had made progress in strengthening foreign reserves and improving revenue generation.

“He has done more than enough to earn the trust of Nigerians,” he said, adding that voters would decide in 2027 whether the President deserves another term.