Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says Nigeria’s swift military intervention in Benin Republic and the release of 100 abducted students in Niger State reflect the Tinubu administration’s commitment to defending democracy and tackling insecurity.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Onanuga stressed that Nigeria acted firmly but strictly on invitation from the Beninese government during last week’s attempted coup, while also confirming that more efforts were underway to secure the release of the remaining abducted students.
“What happened yesterday and what happened today only showed that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but also among our neighbours,” he said. “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.”
Onanuga explained that Nigeria’s involvement in restoring constitutional order in Benin followed direct and urgent requests from President Patrice Talon.
“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 for ground troops,”** he said.
He added that the intervention aligned with ECOWAS protocols and President Bola Tinubu’s long-standing stance on upholding democracy in West Africa.
“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.”
On the perception that Talon failed to publicly acknowledge Nigeria’s role, Onanuga said records showed otherwise.
“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.”
Contrasting the successful foreign mission with Nigeria’s battles against terrorism and banditry, Onanuga explained that internal insecurity was a far more complex challenge.
“The internal war is more of an asymmetric war… you have ragtag bandits and terrorists sometimes holding our people as shields,”he said.
He added that Nigeria could not deploy the same heavy-handed military tactics used in Benin.
“You have to be very careful not to go and bomb those they are holding as collaterals. It’s different. These are like a guerrilla force. Even the almighty America couldn’t fight guerrillas in Afghanistan.”
Onanuga confirmed that 100 abducted students from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, had regained freedom, reiterating that security agencies were working to rescue the remainder.
“We have wound all of them out. We are hoping the others will soon be released,”he said.
“Security agents are making all kinds of efforts to get those children out.”
He declined to confirm reports of ransom payments.
“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.”
Pressed on the legal implications of ransom payments, he maintained:
“I don’t want to talk about the modus operandi of security people. They have a way of getting results.”
He clarified the actual number of students still being held.
“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.”
Asked whether military rescue or negotiation was underway, he again referred to the National Security Adviser’s earlier comment:
“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.”
Onanuga dismissed speculation about whether the kidnappers were bandits or jihadists.
“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.”
On the President’s order to withdraw police escorts from VIPs, Onanuga insisted the directive was being implemented.
“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 said.
He clarified that many officers seen accompanying prominent individuals were not part of the regular police.
“There are those they call spy policemen… They wear police-like uniforms, but they are not really part of the workforce of the police.”
On the visit by a US congressional fact-finding mission, he rejected claims that it reflected distrust in the Nigerian government’s account of insecurity or religious freedom.
“I don’t think so. They have been following one narrative… People have been feeding them all kinds of lies about what was going on in Nigeria,”he said.
He stressed that Nigerian officials had now presented “the other side”, citing Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia’s briefing.
“There is no genocide in Nigeria… Yes, there are some killings, but those killings are not motivated by religion.
Onanuga concluded that Nigeria’s actions at home and abroad demonstrated resolve and competence.
“This government is committed to protecting democracy… and our security people are up to the task of helping to protect this country.”
Boluwatife Enome
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