According to a report by Daily Post on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy has explained why the Nigerian military quickly intervened in the recent unrest in Benin Republic, noting that the situation differs from the long standing insecurity in Nigeria and stating that the nature of the threats within Nigeria makes rapid action more complex.
Onanuga said the unrest in Benin Republic involved clear military targets, adding that such situations allow security forces to move swiftly because they can identify locations linked to hostile operations, and he noted that this kind of clarity is not always available in Nigeria.
He stated that bandits and terrorists in Nigeria operate within civilian areas, stressing that they often hide among residents and that this creates a challenge for the military which must avoid actions that could endanger innocent people.
Onanuga explained that armed groups across several regions frequently seize civilians and use them as protection, saying this tactic prevents security forces from applying the same approach used in conventional military confrontations where enemy positions are easier to define.
Onanuga noted that the security agencies must act with caution whenever civilians are at risk, adding that any operation carried out without careful planning may lead to unintended harm which could escalate concerns among communities already affected by insecurity.
He added that these armed groups usually target vulnerable locations, stating that they select remote communities, highways, schools, and other soft areas, and he emphasized that their strategy makes quick military intervention difficult because the safety of those abducted must remain a priority.
Onanuga explained that intelligence gathering in such circumstances becomes more demanding, adding that forces on the ground must analyze movement patterns, monitor communication networks, and understand the structure of the groups before carrying out operations that avoid civilian casualties.
He stated that the case in Benin Republic involved a direct threat to a military installation, saying that the authorities there had clear information about the intended attack which enabled a coordinated response, and he noted that this type of situation differs significantly from Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
Onanuga emphasized that the Nigerian government continues to review strategies against bandits and terrorists, adding that the complexity of the threats requires patience, coordination, and precision while ensuring the protection of citizens which remains the central focus of ongoing security efforts.
He said: “Look at the case of Benin Republic now. They wanted to bomb a military base in Benin. They know where to where to go. They coordinated where they should actually bomb, which is what they did. View, More,
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