The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has cautioned state governments against negotiating with bandits, stressing that such engagements undermine national security efforts and embolden criminal groups.
Speaking during an interview, the retired general said Nigeria is facing serious security challenges but assured citizens that the government is taking decisive steps to address them. He noted that while not every detail of security operations can be made public, significant progress is being achieved through improved equipment and advanced technology supplied by the President. According to him, technology remains a critical tool in tracking and confronting criminals, especially since troops cannot be deployed to every location at once.
General Musa explained that Nigeria is working closely with neighboring countries including Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Mali, as terrorism is a cross border problem. He said many of the criminal elements entered Nigeria through these countries, making regional cooperation necessary to defeat them.
Reaffirming his earlier position on border security, the minister said fencing key areas of the nation’s borders would help prevent criminals from entering, carrying out attacks and escaping. He clarified that fencing would not be possible in all areas, particularly where water bodies exist, but securing vulnerable points would make a significant difference.
He also emphasized the role of citizens in tackling insecurity, urging Nigerians to report suspicious movements promptly. According to him, public cooperation was one of the factors that helped security forces gain ground in Maiduguri. He warned against civilians supplying terrorists with food, water or information, describing any financial gain from such collaboration as blood money.
Addressing claims that terrorists are targeting Christians in Nigeria, General Musa stated that criminals attack all Nigerians regardless of religion. He said this position has been clearly communicated to the United States government to prevent misleading narratives that could worsen tensions. He added that recent engagements have helped foreign partners better understand the complex nature of terrorism in Nigeria.
On foreign military support, the defence minister confirmed that recent air operations by the United States neutralized several terrorists, forcing others to flee back to Niger. He warned communities against inviting armed groups under the pretense of seeking protection, noting that such actions previously allowed violent groups to gain a foothold and later turn on the same communities.
General Musa firmly rejected peace deals with terrorists and bandits, stating that such agreements are deceptive and never respected. He revealed that states engaging in negotiations have been advised to stop, as these deals disrupt coordinated efforts at the federal level and give criminals room to continue their attacks.
He also ruled out ransom payments, describing them as a major factor fueling kidnapping and banditry. According to him, the federal government does not pay ransom and allegations suggesting otherwise are false. He explained that many abducted victims are rescued when security pressure forces kidnappers to flee their camps.
Despite ongoing attacks, the minister insisted that security forces have not been overwhelmed. He attributed the persistence of violence to the vast size of the country and the ability of criminals to move to unguarded areas. He urged state governments to support security efforts by creating jobs, improving education, healthcare and social services to reduce youth involvement in crime.
General Musa acknowledged that poverty and hunger contribute to criminal recruitment, stressing that security operations must be combined with social and economic interventions. He dismissed claims of widespread collaboration between security personnel and terrorists, describing such allegations as false and unfair to troops risking their lives daily.
In his final remarks, the defence minister urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and united, saying peace can only be restored through collective effort. He called on citizens to shun all forms of association with criminals and to work closely with security agencies to protect the nation. According to him, while no country is free of security challenges, effective use of technology and strong public cooperation remain the path to lasting peace.
