The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed claims that the nation is currently under siege, asserting that ongoing security difficulties are localized rather than widespread. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared this perspective during a recent appearance on Arise Television.
Onanuga contended that media portrayals often exaggerate the scope of instability, suggesting that most citizens move through the country without encountering danger. To support his argument, he noted that many individuals still complete long-distance road trips safely. He specifically pointed to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, who recently completed a drive from Abuja to Kebbi State without incident.
While acknowledging that violent attacks and kidnappings occur, Onanuga characterized these events as security breaches rather than a systemic collapse of national order. He urged the public to remain calm and cautioned against allowing alarmist reporting to dictate the perception of national safety. Furthermore, he noted that official advisories against night travel, issued prior to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, remain a relevant measure for citizens to maintain personal safety.
