The Presidency has revealed that Nigerian security forces have arrested foreign nationals allegedly linked to insecurity in parts of the country but deliberately withheld their identities to safeguard ongoing diplomatic engagements with their respective countries.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, made the disclosure during an appearance on The Link Up Podcast, a panel discussion hosted by EchoRoom.
According to Bwala, the Federal Government’s decision not to publicly identify the foreign suspects was informed by national security considerations and the need to maintain diplomatic relations.Africans & Diaspora 
He explained that foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs is often connected to broader security and economic interests, including the country’s oil resources and certain policy decisions taken by the Federal Government.
Referring to protests that erupted in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in Kano State, Bwala suggested that some of the demonstrations had foreign dimensions.
“If you remember, there was a decision the Federal Government of Nigeria made at that time, and immediately we started seeing people in Nigeria lifting Russian flags,” he said.
Bwala further revealed that Nigerian troops apprehended foreign nationals during security operations in the country’s central region.Politics
“Our soldiers have arrested foreign nationals in the middle of the country. For security reasons, the military refused to disclose their nationality, but the government of Nigeria related with those nationalities and countries,” he said.
He added that in some situations, governments may retain such detainees while engaging their home countries through diplomatic channels.
“If you catch somebody like that, you keep them until that country has something also in it, so you do prisoner exchange,” Bwala stated.
Speaking on the security situation in the country, the presidential spokesman said insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have expanded beyond the North-East into parts of the North-West and are attempting to push towards the North-Central region.
According to him, the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to contain the insurgency and prevent it from spreading into southern parts of the country.
Bwala also defended the performance of the Tinubu administration, arguing that the government has recorded notable economic gains since assuming office.
He pointed to improvements in Nigeria’s foreign reserves and government revenue as indicators of progress under the current administration.
The presidential aide concluded by saying Nigerians would ultimately determine whether President Bola Tinubu deserves a second term based on the administration’s overall performance and achievements.
