By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Nuhu Ribadu |
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a move sparking concerns over transparency and democratic accountability, fresh reports suggest a coordinated effort by the Nigerian presidency to suppress information regarding the nation's security crisis. Sources indicate that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has allegedly directed military commanders to conceal all successful Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks from the public eye until after the 2027 general elections.
According to an exclusive report by SaharaReporters, this directive followed a massive security breach in Yobe State, where at least 36 security personnel, including soldiers and Mobile Police officers, were killed in coordinated insurgent strikes. The publication of these casualties reportedly triggered "extreme anger" within the Office of the National Security Adviser, prompting an immediate crackdown on information flow.
The controversy stems from a deadly midnight assault on Thursday into Friday, targeting the Theatre Training Centre in Buniyadi and the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Gari. These locations, situated in the hometown of Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, became the site of one of the deadliest military losses in recent months.
Military insiders revealed to SaharaReporters that the breakdown of casualties was devastating: 17 Mobile Police officers killed during training. 10 soldiers attached to the training program lost. 9 additional soldiers killed in the 27 Task Force Brigade assault.
"The commander received a call immediately after the story was published, and it came from the NSA’s office," a military source told the outlet. The primary grievance was not the loss of life, but the speed at which the information reached the press.
The alleged directive from the NSA’s office highlights a strategic shift toward "reputation management" over public safety. Sources claim military commanders were explicitly told that operational failures and successful insurgent raids must be "managed internally" to avoid damaging the image of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The instruction allegedly given was clear: information regarding Boko Haram or ISWAP victories must not reach the public domain for the next three years. This policy aims to project an aura of total victory over terrorism as the 2027 election cycle approaches, despite the reality on the ground.
To ensure this blackout remains effective, the military hierarchy has reportedly begun a hunt for whistleblowers within the ranks. Soldiers suspected of communicating with journalists now face threats of "severe punishment" and potential framing.
“People are scared because they believe they can be framed or targeted at any time,” a source told SaharaReporters, describing a climate of fear where soldiers feel silenced while their colleagues fall on the front lines.
Despite claims by the Nigerian government that terrorism has been "largely contained," these latest developments suggest a widening gap between official narratives and the lived experience of troops in the North-East. The push for secrecy raises critical questions about whether the safety of Nigerian citizens is being traded for political optics.
Source: SaharaReporters