By Our Correspondent
National News – The Presidency on Tuesday urged Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, to provide any credible intelligence on terrorism to Nigeria’s security agencies rather than discussing such sensitive information publicly.
The call came after the lawmaker made claims during a television interview that terrorists operating in the North-East receive information from informants within local communities.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Ndume should channel actionable intelligence to the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser, or other relevant authorities.
According to him, security information should be handled confidentially to enable effective counter-terrorism operations and prevent tipping off criminal networks.
Ndume had earlier appeared on television, alleging that insurgents carry out attacks through “hit-and-run” tactics and sometimes use commercial tricycles, commonly known as Keke NAPEP, to transport explosives.
He also claimed the attackers rely on community informants to gather operational details before launching assaults.
The senator criticised the government’s security response, arguing that soldiers still lack adequate training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation to effectively combat terrorism.
He further questioned intelligence gaps, asking why insurgents who share videos of attacks online could not easily be tracked despite widespread surveillance of citizens’ communications.
Responding to the criticism, Onanuga defended the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the government has significantly increased defence spending and intensified military operations against insurgents.
He said the President approved additional security equipment and operational support during a high-level security meeting held shortly before recent attacks in Maiduguri.
According to the Presidency, the 2026 Appropriation Bill contains the largest allocation to Nigeria’s defence sector in recent years.
The government has also procured military hardware from France and the United Kingdom to strengthen the country’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
The remarks come amid ongoing operations by troops under Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State following the March 16 suicide bombings in Maiduguri that killed 23 people and injured more than 100 others.
President Tinubu subsequently ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to coordinate operations, while Vice President Kashim Shettima visited victims at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital to assure them of government support.
