Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said that terrorism, banditry and other security challenges remain difficult to eliminate because criminal groups continue to receive support from people within local communities.
Speaking during the June 12 edition of The Platform, organised by The Covenant Nation in Lagos, the retired general argued that insurgents and bandits rely on local networks for survival.
Criminals Receive Local Support
According to Musa, terrorists and bandits are often provided with:
- Food and water
- Intelligence and information
- Logistical assistance
- Safe environments to operate
He described these forms of support as the “oxygen” that keeps criminal groups active.
“Who is funding them? Who are those giving them information? Who are those giving them the logistics that keep them going? It is still the people,” he said.
Security Agencies Cannot Work Alone
The Defence Minister stressed that modern security threats are more complex because criminals often live and operate among ordinary civilians, making it difficult for security forces to identify and isolate them.
He noted that military operations alone cannot completely solve the problem without active cooperation from citizens.
Call for Public Cooperation
Musa urged Nigerians to:
- Report suspicious activities promptly.
- Share useful intelligence with security agencies.
- Refuse to provide support or shelter to criminal groups.
- Work with authorities to improve community security.
According to him, defeating insecurity requires a collective effort involving the military, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and ordinary citizens.
Why the Statement Matters
Nigeria continues to face security challenges including:
- Banditry in parts of the Northwest.
- Insurgency linked to extremist groups in the Northeast.
- Kidnappings for ransom across several regions.
- Communal and farmer-herder conflicts in some states.
The Defence Minister’s comments highlight a long-standing concern among security officials: that criminal groups often depend on local collaborators for supplies, information and protection, making military operations more difficult and prolonging insecurity.
Key Takeaway
The Defence Minister believes that insecurity persists not only because of the actions of terrorists and bandits themselves, but also because some individuals within affected communities provide them with resources, intelligence and support. He therefore called for stronger public cooperation with security agencies as part of efforts to restore peace and stability across Nigeria.
