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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.

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War ravaged Iran has officially designated six African countries among 27 nations worldwide whose citizens may enter the Islamic Republic for tourism without a visa, according to a list published by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ordinary passport holders from the qualifying African countries are permitted a 15-day stay per visit, restricted to once every six months.

The access is non-extendable under Iranian law and applies solely for tourism purposes.

Which African countries made Iran’s list
The six African nations included in Iran’s visa-free framework are Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Citizens of these countries holding ordinary passports may enter Iran for tourism without undergoing advance visa application procedures, provided they comply with the conditions set by Iranian regulations.

Beyond Africa, the broader list of 27 countries covers Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, alongside Asian nations such as Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. Several Latin American countries, among them Brazil, Peru, Cuba and Mexico, also feature on the list.

How Iran’s entry system works
Iran operates a tiered entry system for foreign nationals rather than a single blanket policy. A separate category exists for countries that benefit from full visa waiver arrangements under bilateral agreements, which grant their citizens even fewer travel restrictions when visiting Iran.

Nationals of Lebanon, Venezuela and Malaysia fall under a distinct arrangement, where they can obtain the necessary travel permits directly upon arrival at designated entry points rather than applying in advance.

Citizens of countries not covered by any of these arrangements, which includes the vast majority of African nations, are required to apply for a visa through standard consular channels. Iran’s eVisa platform, administered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is available to those who qualify for online applications.

The announcement comes as several governments have moved to publicise their travel agreements and entry requirements, drawing renewed attention to which nationalities benefit from simplified access to various countries.

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Insecurity at its peak as three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State to bury their late mother have reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road.

The ugly development was said to have occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

It was brought to public notice by citizen journalist Meddy Olotu through a video shared on social media.

According to Olotu, the victims were transporting the remains of their mother, who died in Abuja, to Iklenyi community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for burial when they were attacked.

He revealed that the family encountered mechanical problems during the trip, leaving them stranded for several hours before continuing their journey around 2:00 a.m.

“They left Abuja with the corpse of their mother for burial in Iklenyi, but even by 2:00 a.m., they were still on the road because their vehicle had broken down.

Despite that, they continued the journey,” Olotu said.

Olotu alleged that while travelling between Ogobia and Otukpo, armed kidnappers intercepted the vehicle and abducted the three siblings, reportedly taking away the corpse of their deceased mother as well.

He described the incident as deeply distressing and advised Nigerians to avoid travelling at night due to the increasing insecurity on major highways.

“If you’re using Nigerian roads at this time, please be very careful. Even travelling during the day is no longer safe, let alone at night. If your journey is not absolutely necessary, stay where you are,” he cautioned.

The citizen journalist further condemned the alleged actions of the kidnappers, saying the incident reflected the alarming level of cruelty among criminal gangs.

“It is sad that these criminals no longer have sympathy or conscience. Imagine kidnapping people conveying the corpse of their mother and even taking away the body,” he said.