Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communications to President Bola Tinubu, admitted on Wednesday that Nigeria is experiencing a “trying period” marked by escalating violence, mass abductions, and general insecurity. His comments came during a State of the Nation discussion on Channels Television, as public outrage grows over kidnappings in states like Niger, Kebbi, and Kaduna.

Bwala acknowledged the federal government is contending with both public perception and the harsh realities on the ground. He cited ungoverned spaces, asymmetric warfare, and external geopolitical pressures as complicating factors in combating banditry and terrorism. He also noted that President Tinubu had cancelled international trips to focus on security.

On the issue of ransom payments, Bwala insisted that the federal government maintains a zero-tolerance policy, despite reports that some abductions involved payments by families, state governments, or religious mediators.

Bwala highlighted measures by the Tinubu administration to address insecurity, including:

• Arrests of Ansaru leaders and surrendered bandits
• The Safe Schools Initiative, merging vulnerable rural schools into “mega schools”
• Recruitment drives for the military and police

Responding to claims that Christians are being specifically targeted, Bwala stressed that killings cut across ethnic and religious lines and therefore do not constitute genocide. He referenced investigations by international media outlets—including Reuters, BBC, CNN, and Sky News—supporting this assessment.

He concluded that while insecurity is rising, the government maintains that it is “in control” of the situation.