The Presidency, under President Bola Tinubu, has advised Senator Ali Ndume to submit any actionable intelligence on terrorist activities directly to security agencies instead of making public disclosures on television.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the comment in response to Ndume’s recent interview on Channels Television, where the senator discussed terrorists’ use of informants and hit-and-run tactics, including employing commercial tricycles.
Onanuga emphasised that intelligence of this nature should remain confidential and be shared with authorities such as the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser, or other relevant intelligence bodies to ensure effective operational response.
Responding to Ndume’s criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, Onanuga defended the administration’s efforts, highlighting that President Tinubu has approved the highest budgetary allocation for defence in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, procured military equipment from France and the United Kingdom, and directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to oversee ongoing operations.
He cautioned that while public commentary on security matters is valid, revealing specific operational details could compromise active military efforts, especially following the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri on March 16, which claimed 23 lives and injured 108 others.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited victims at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, reaffirming continued support for security forces engaged in the region.
