The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, has outlined the Federal Government’s strategy to combat insurgency, banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria.
Speaking during The Link Up Podcast, Bwala said the government is increasing the recruitment and retraining of security personnel to address manpower shortages across the country’s security agencies.
According to him, additional personnel are being recruited into the military, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, while forest guards are also being deployed to prevent terrorists from using forests as operational bases and exploiting mineral resources.
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He said the administration is investing heavily in technology, including drones and interception systems, to improve surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Bwala added that security agencies are increasingly relying on intelligence-led operations to target criminal groups while minimising civilian casualties.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government is working with paramilitary agencies and licensed private security companies to strengthen nationwide security.
On international cooperation, the presidential aide said Nigeria has expanded counterterrorism partnerships with neighbouring Sahel countries and the United States, where specialised military training is being provided to Nigerian security personnel.
Bwala said details of the collaboration remain confidential for security reasons.
Describing kidnapping as a “crisis economy,” he noted that some perpetrators are members of local communities rather than organised terrorist groups.
He said the government is expanding community policing initiatives and increasing the presence of police and DSS operatives in cities while encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities.
Bwala also revealed that security agencies are investigating compromised law enforcement personnel and taking disciplinary action against officers found to be collaborating with criminal networks.
