Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has firmly asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is demonstrating its robust commitment to upholding democratic principles and strengthening national security through recent actions, including military intervention in the Benin Republic and the successful rescue of 100 abducted students in Niger State.
Speaking on Arise News on Monday night, the 8th of December, 2025, Onanuga provided details on Nigeria’s swift response to the attempted coup in neighboring Benin last week, clarifying that the action was coordinated and taken strictly at the request of the Beninese authorities.
He highlighted that the events of the week proved the administration’s core focus: “What happened on Sunday and what happened today only showed that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but also among our neighbours.”
He added that the successful rescue operation in Niger State confirms the capability of Nigeria’s security apparatus: “And what you have also seen in the release of the Papiri children is that our security people, the armed forces, the air force, the ground troops, they are up to the task of helping to protect this country,” he stated.
Onanuga confirmed that the intervention was initiated after President Patrice Talon personally sought Nigeria’s aid. He elaborated on the urgency of the situation: “The government of Benin, President Talon’s government, sent two notifications to Nigeria, actually in quick succession, because the first one was that Nigeria should send fighter jets to help them dislodge the coup plotters. And after that was done, they again requested ground troops,” he recalled.
The Presidential Adviser emphasized that the support aligns with the rules of ECOWAS and President Tinubu’s established dedication to safeguarding governance across West Africa. He stated: “Since he came in in 2023, he’s been the greatest advocate of democracy in the West African sub-region… Whatever command he gave to our military to support Benin is in consonance with that. That is what he believes in,”
Addressing suggestions that President Talon had not publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s role, Onanuga dismissed the claims: “I also read some accounts where he acknowledged Nigeria’s support. He needed Nigeria, and it was wise for them to have called on Nigeria to help them.”
Onanuga contrasted the Beninese operation with Nigeria’s ongoing fight against internal threats like bandits and terrorists, noting that domestic operations are fundamentally different due to their complexity.
“The internal war is more of an asymmetric war… You have ragtag bandits and terrorists sometimes holding our people as shields,” he explained, which prevents the military from simply replicating the Benin operation at home.
He stressed the delicate nature of internal rescue missions: “You have to be very careful not to go and bomb those they are holding as collateral. It’s different. These are like a guerrilla force. Even the almighty America couldn’t fight guerrillas in Afghanistan,” he said.
The Adviser confirmed the release of 100 students abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, assuring that efforts continue for the remaining victims: “We have wound all of them out. We are hoping the others will soon be released. Security agents are making all kinds of efforts to get those children out,” he confirmed.
When pressed on whether ransom was paid, he declined to comment: “I don’t know… I don’t want to talk about security people and the way they do their work. All I am aware of is that they got the children out… This is the result that really matters.” He also refrained from discussing the legality of ransom payments, noting: “I don’t want to talk about the modus operandi of security people. They have a way of getting results.”
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Onanuga noted that, according to official data, a significant number of abductees remain captive: “The final figure they gave was that 215 students and 12 teachers were abducted… We are grateful that we have 115 students and 12 teachers remaining,” he stated.
He indicated that the National Security Adviser had provided a strategy, confirming that “The NSA said those children will be released in batches. I’m sure they must have found a way around it… I’m not a security man, I don’t want to talk about security.”
Regarding the identity of the perpetrators, Onanuga suggested they are generally recognized as terrorists: “Generally, the people operating along that axis… they are terrorists. Either they belong to Ansaru and all these gangs, or they are just terrorists operating there.”
Finally, the presidential aide addressed concerns about the President’s directive to withdraw police escorts from VIPs, asserting that the policy is being executed. “The IG came out to say he has withdrawn them… about 12,000 policemen doing VIP work. I rarely see policemen outside like before,” he stated.
He further clarified that many officers still seen with prominent individuals are not regular police personnel: “There are those they call spy policemen… They wear police-like uniforms, but they are not really part of the workforce of the Police,” he explained.
Onanuga concluded that both the domestic and international actions of the administration demonstrate its overall effectiveness and determination: “This government is committed to protecting democracy… and our security people are up to the task of helping to protect this country.”