Foreign Interests May Be Fueling Nigeria’s Security Crisis, Says Presidential Aide Daniel Bwala

Nigeria's lingering security crisis may be influenced by external forces, according to Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications. Bwala suggested that international claims and developments indicate foreign interests could be playing a role in the country's terrorism challenge. He made these assertions during a panel discussion on The Link Up Podcast, published Friday. Bwala pointed to protests in northern Nigeria where Russian flags were displayed as one indicator of dimensions beyond the country's borders. "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 referenced allegations made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry during a congressional hearing, claiming the CIA funded Boko Haram and the Islamic State. While stressing he was not confirming or endorsing these claims, Bwala noted they demonstrated that discussions about possible external influence on terrorism in Nigeria had occurred internationally. "Scott Perry was interrogating the CIA director, and he was telling him that their congressional finding suggests that the CIA was funding Boko Haram and ISIS," Bwala stated. "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."

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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.

Bwala further alleged that a rivalry between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration weakened counterterrorism operations. He claimed disagreements between the then Chief of Air Staff and the Army leadership disrupted operational coordination. This resulted in situations where requests for air cover were not honored. "I remember during Buhari, there was this disagreement that was reported 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," Bwala said. He implied that this internal friction hampered the effectiveness of counterterrorism missions.

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Scott Perry was interrogating the CIA director, and he was telling him that their congressional finding suggests that the CIA was funding Boko Haram and ISIS.