Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala has claimed that Nigeria could have been overwhelmed by ISIS-linked terrorists and bandits if President Bola Tinubu had not taken what he described as decisive security measures.
Bwala made the claim on Thursday while speaking on a programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ogun State.
He said Tinubu’s security interventions had helped prevent Nigeria from sliding into a deeper security crisis despite continued attacks by terrorists, bandits and other armed groups.
According to him, the administration has combined military operations, domestic security measures and international partnerships to tackle violent groups across the country.
Bwala said Nigeria remained vulnerable to the expansion of terrorist groups operating in the Sahel region.
He, however, argued that the government’s response had prevented the situation from deteriorating further.
Without Tinubu’s interventions, he claimed, Nigeria could have been “overrun” by ISIS and other violent groups.
The presidential aide also pointed to Nigeria’s growing security cooperation with the United States, saying the partnership had strengthened the country’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
He claimed that joint efforts with the US had contributed to military strikes against terrorist elements operating in Nigeria.
Bwala further defended the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, citing military operational figures which he said showed progress in the fight against terrorists, kidnappers and other armed groups.
He maintained that Tinubu’s security strategy and international partnerships had helped contain terrorism and prevent Nigeria from becoming a major stronghold for ISIS-linked elements.
