Terror Mole Alert: Opposition Slams FG, Demands Arrests

By Frontline Reporters

Opposition political parties have criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the Presidency’s admission that terrorist groups may have infiltrated Nigeria’s security architecture, describing the disclosure as further evidence of the Federal Government’s failure to address the country’s worsening security challenges.

The parties—the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)—said the revelation by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, underscores the urgent need for reforms, thorough investigations, and the prosecution of any security personnel found collaborating with terrorist groups.

Bwala, who spoke during The Link Up Podcast hosted by EchoRoom, disclosed that the Federal Government had already introduced measures to address insider threats within the nation’s security agencies but declined to reveal details for security reasons.

The Presidency’s warning comes amid unverified reports circulating on social media alleging that a soldier serving as a weapons instructor with an Army battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, went missing for two days before allegedly being sighted among Boko Haram fighters during an attack on the town.

According to the unverified reports, the soldier’s commanding officer tracked his mobile phone to Gashua, prompting security operatives to launch a search. The reports further claimed that he was intercepted while attempting to travel to Gombe in disguise and later detonated an explosive device while being transported back to Geidam after allegedly overpowering an escort.

The claims, which also allege that intelligence obtained from the soldier led to the arrest of other military personnel suspected of links to terrorist groups, have not been independently verified by security authorities.

Responding to questions about possible terrorist infiltration of Nigeria’s military, Bwala stated that the government believes there may be “one or two agents” within the armed forces or other institutions, noting that instances of compromised personnel have been recorded in both the military and police.

“Our police officers have been arrested before, and soldiers have also been arrested in connection with these kinds of incidents,” he said.

However, the presidential aide argued that no country’s security architecture is entirely immune to infiltration. Drawing parallels with the case of Edward Snowden, the former United States intelligence contractor whose 2013 disclosures exposed classified surveillance programmes operated by the National Security Agency, Bwala maintained that insider threats are a global phenomenon.

“This will happen anywhere in the world. Snowden was a contractor to the U.S. national security establishment,” he said.

He reiterated that the Federal Government has implemented measures to tackle infiltration threats but deliberately withheld operational details.

“These are things that can happen, and I don’t want to say much because there are measures we are taking and we do not want people to know,” he added.

Bwala also spoke about security challenges that existed before the Tinubu administration, recalling reports of disagreements between the Chief of Air Staff and Army leadership during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which allegedly affected operational coordination and air support during military operations.

“In this administration, there is coordination and cooperation among the security agencies,” he stated.

Opposition Reacts

In separate interviews with Frontline Reporters, opposition parties described Bwala’s comments as a disturbing confirmation of deep-rooted failures in Nigeria’s security system.

The National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba, described the development as a reflection of governance failure, insisting that President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, bears primary responsibility for the nation’s security.

“It speaks to the lack of governance and the failure of government at all levels. If the President is admitting to security gaps from within, then we have a grave situation on our hands,” he said.

According to him, the government has failed in its constitutional duty to protect the lives and welfare of Nigerians.

“The only way forward is for citizens to demand good governance and hold leaders accountable. Elections provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess performance and vote accordingly,” Aiyenigba added.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of NADECO, Osa Director, said Bwala’s comments reinforce what he described as the APC-led government’s inability to effectively tackle insecurity.

“Since 2015, the ruling party has failed to provide direction in addressing the insecurity threatening to consume the nation. This government has shown itself incapable of solving Nigeria’s security challenges,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to democratically decide the government’s fate in the 2027 general elections.

Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction, Ini Ememobong, called for immediate investigations into allegations of terrorist infiltration within government institutions.

“The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property, and this administration has failed woefully in discharging that duty,” he said.

He urged security agencies to professionally investigate the allegations and avoid politicising national security matters.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, questioned why no arrests or prosecutions have been announced if the government possesses credible evidence of terrorist infiltration.

“This is a serious allegation. If there is any credence to it, shouldn’t we be hearing about arrests and prosecutions rather than mere allegations?” he asked.

Abdullahi further criticised what he described as the government’s failure to take responsibility despite being in power for three years.

On his part, the National Publicity Secretary of the YPP, Wale Egbeola-Martins, stated that Bwala’s comments merely echoed long-standing concerns among Nigerians regarding possible compromises within the country’s security institutions.

“There is nothing particularly surprising in what Mr Bwala said. Many Nigerians have long suspected that some security personnel may have links to terrorist groups,” he said.

He noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan had similarly acknowledged during his administration that terrorists and their sympathisers had infiltrated government institutions.

“The real issue is what concrete steps this administration is taking to identify, expose, and eliminate such elements from the security system,” Egbeola-Martins added.

He also criticised the policy of rehabilitating repentant terrorists and called for improved intelligence gathering, continuous vetting of security personnel, and decisive action against internal saboteurs.

Police Respond

The Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians that it has multiple internal mechanisms designed to prevent terrorist infiltration within its ranks.

Force spokesman, Anieite Iniedu, disclosed that the police maintain six oversight bodies responsible for monitoring personnel and operations, including SERVICOM, the X-Squad, the Police Monitoring Unit, the Force Provost, the Public Complaint Bureau, and the Complaint Response Unit.

“We have enough internal mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent infiltration,” he said.

According to Iniedu, the Inspector-General of Police had, more than a month ago, directed relevant departments to strengthen surveillance and take proactive measures against potential insider threats.

“Our men have already been placed on alert concerning issues like this,” he stated.

Although the police have not received any direct reports of terrorist infiltration within the force, Iniedu confirmed that discreet investigations and monitoring operations are ongoing as precautionary measures.

“We don’t have any direct reports yet, but I want to assure Nigerians that discreet investigations are ongoing to ensure that such threats do not surface within the force,” he said.

He added that the Inspector-General of Police had already put adequate strategies in place to address potential security breaches.

Meanwhile, when contacted for comments on the matter, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, declined to comment.

The Presidency’s acknowledgement of possible terrorist infiltration has intensified calls for transparency, accountability, and comprehensive security reforms, as opposition parties continue to demand immediate investigations and the prosecution of any security personnel found to be collaborating with terrorist groups.