The Presidency has confirmed that Nigerian security forces have arrested several foreign nationals allegedly linked to insecurity across parts of the country, but said their identities have been withheld to safeguard ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, disclosed this during an appearance on The Link Up Podcast, hosted by EchoRoom.
According to Bwala, the Federal Government decided not to reveal the suspects’ nationalities because of sensitive diplomatic engagements involving their home countries.
He explained that the government had already contacted the countries concerned and suggested that the detained foreign nationals could potentially be used in future prisoner exchange arrangements where necessary.
Speaking on the country’s security challenges, Bwala said foreign interference in Nigeria’s affairs was often driven by national security concerns and economic interests, including the nation’s oil resources and government policies.
Referring to protests previously held in parts of northern Nigeria, including Kano State, he noted that security agencies had arrested foreign nationals during operations in the country’s central region.
Bwala also warned that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were extending their operations from the North-East through the North-West towards the North-Central region.
He, however, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was taking steps to prevent the insurgent groups from spreading further into the southern part of the country.
The presidential aide also commended the Tinubu administration, pointing to improvements in Nigeria’s foreign reserves and government revenue, while maintaining that Nigerians would ultimately decide whether the President deserves a second term in office.