The Presidency has pointed to the successful rescue of kidnapped passengers in Benue State and a series of coordinated military operations across the country as clear signs that Nigeria is making steady, though often overlooked, progress in its fight against terrorism and insecurity.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, argued that public discourse is frequently dominated by isolated incidents, while sustained gains by the armed forces receive little attention.
Onanuga wrote, “Some Nigerians and armchair analysts are often quick to criticise the Federal Government for perceived shortcomings in security, highlighting isolated incidents such as kidnappings, improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and attacks in parts of the country.
“Such perceptions, however, tend to downplay and discount the heroic exploits of members of the Nigerian armed forces.”
He cited the rescue of 13 passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo. The victims, including several young candidates heading to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, were freed after a search-and-rescue mission by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Ohimini Local Government Area. Three others had earlier escaped.
According to Onanuga, early reports that blamed Fulani bandits for the attack were inaccurate.
“The perpetrators were local criminal elements in Benue and not Fulani bandits as initially speculated in some quarters.
“The media hastily attributed the attack to external groups without proper verification,” he quoted security sources as saying.
He warned that such mischaracterisation could inflame ethnic tensions.
The rescued victims were taken to the General Hospital in Otukpo for treatment, while Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to reschedule exams for the affected students.
Beyond Benue, the Presidency highlighted multiple security operations carried out within a week across several states.
In Plateau State, troops under Operation Enduring Peace arrested nine suspected ethnic militia members linked to targeted killings in Riyom Local Government Area, recovering weapons and ammunition. Security sources said the suspects were believed to be behind a string of violent attacks across Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu.
In Borno State, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised insurgents along the Kirawa-Pulka axis, repelled an attack in Benisheikh, and safely detonated an improvised explosive device discovered in Mairari.
In Yobe, troops working with local hunters arrested three logistics suppliers linked to insurgent groups in Damaturu.
Operations in the North-West also saw troops repel an attack by armed terrorists in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while in Kogi, a suspected terrorist camp was destroyed in Yagba West.
Elsewhere, security forces in Imo State safely defused explosive devices in Orsu, and in Edo State, troops foiled a kidnap attempt in Auchi, arresting five suspects.
While acknowledging that security challenges persist, Onanuga urged Nigerians to recognise the progress being made.
He said, “What the armed forces and government deserve from us is appreciation and commendation, not condemnation and vilification.”
He further noted Nigeria’s growing role in global security discussions, referencing the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Türkiye, where issues of counterterrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing were discussed.
