Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has alleged that a strained relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration affected military operations, with troops reportedly missing out on vital air support.
Speaking on The Link Up Podcast hosted by EchoRoom, Bwala said disagreements between the leadership of both services at the time disrupted coordination on the battlefield. He noted that the situation has changed under the current administration, where, according to him, there is stronger collaboration among the armed forces.
“I remember during Buhari there was this disagreement that was imported to be between the Chief of Air Staff and that of the Army, so that whenever an operation was undertaken, when they asked for air cover, there wouldn’t be support. In this administration, it is not so. There is coordination or cooperation,” he said.
Reacting to claims that terrorists may have sympathisers within the military, Bwala said there was no evidence to support suggestions that soldiers deliberately protect insurgents during attacks.
“I don’t think so. You see that’s a conjecture, except there’s a live case,” he said.
He, however, admitted that security agencies, like institutions in other countries, could have a few compromised personnel, citing previous cases involving both police officers and soldiers.
“You cannot rule out the facts that they may have one or two agents in the army, anywhere else, that providing… Our police have always been arrested, and soldiers arrested involved in this kind of thing,” he said.
He added that such incidents were not unique to Nigeria, referring to the Edward Snowden case in the United States.
“This will happen anywhere in the world. Snowden was a contractor to the US national security. These are elements that can happen, and why I didn’t want to talk much on that is because there are measures we’re taking and we don’t want people to know,” he added.
Bwala also argued that Nigeria’s insecurity has external dimensions, pointing to past pro-Russian demonstrations in parts of northern Nigeria.
“If you remember, there was a decision the Federal Government of Nigeria made at that time, immediately we started seeing these people in Nigeria lifting Russian flags,” he said.
He also referred to allegations by US Congressman Scott Perry that the CIA funded Boko Haram and ISIS, stressing that he was neither confirming nor dismissing the claim but highlighting that the issue had been publicly raised.
“I wouldn’t say that, but I will tell you what I saw. When they were having the congressional hearing, I don’t know whether it is true or not, because he’s not a Nigerian, but I’m just providing facts to you to tell you that conversations like that have gone on.
“Scott Perry was interrogating the CIA director and he was telling him that their congressional finding suggests that the CIA was funding Boko Haram, ISIS,” he said.
He added “So, me, I’m not saying he’s right or he’s wrong. But what I’m saying is that an event like that has occurred, and as a country we cannot hear that and say you are a liar.”
The presidential aide also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying its economic policies had strengthened the country’s finances and earned public confidence.
“He has done more than enough to earn the trust of Nigerians,” he said, adding that Nigerians should decide whether the President deserves another term.
