The Presidency has defended Nigeria’s ongoing security efforts, pointing to the successful rescue of kidnapped passengers in Benue State and multiple military operations across the country as proof of progress in the fight against terrorism.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said public perception of insecurity is often shaped by selective reporting that overlooks the achievements of the armed forces.
He argued that while incidents such as kidnappings and attacks receive widespread attention, they fail to capture what he described as consistent gains recorded by troops in various parts of the country.
Highlighting a recent case, Onanuga said 13 passengers abducted in Benue State were rescued by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke following a coordinated search-and-rescue mission in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The victims, who were among 17 travellers on a Benue Links bus heading from Makurdi to Otukpo, were taken by gunmen before security forces intervened.
Three passengers had earlier escaped, while the remaining victims were freed on April 19.
Some of those rescued, including young candidates travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, were treated for injuries at a hospital in Otukpo.
Onanuga also addressed reports that initially blamed Fulani bandits for the attack, stating that security findings identified the perpetrators as local criminal elements.
He cautioned against premature conclusions, warning that such claims could heighten ethnic tensions.
The Presidency further outlined a series of recent operations across different states.
In Plateau, troops arrested suspected militiamen linked to killings in Riyom and neighbouring communities, recovering firearms and ammunition.
READ ALSO: NAF Strikes Sambisa Forest, Neutralises Multiple Terrorists
Operations in the North-East led to the neutralisation of insurgents and the disruption of attacks in Borno and Yobe States, alongside the arrest of individuals suspected of supporting terrorist logistics.
In Sokoto, soldiers repelled an attack by armed assailants, while in Kogi, security forces dismantled a suspected terrorist camp.
Additional successes were recorded in Imo, where explosive devices were safely defused, and in Edo, where a kidnap attempt was foiled and suspects apprehended.
While acknowledging that security challenges remain, Onanuga maintained that the overall direction of military operations is encouraging and merits public support.
He urged Nigerians to recognise the efforts of the armed forces, stating that their sacrifices and successes should not be overshadowed by isolated negative incidents.
The presidential aide also noted Nigeria’s growing role in global security discussions, referencing the participation of top defence officials at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, where counterterrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing were discussed.