Amid ongoing concerns over insecurity, General Christopher Musa (rtd) has assured Nigerians that the military, intelligence agencies, and international partners are strengthening the country’s fight against terrorism.
Speaking during a televised interview on Sunday, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence highlighted the country’s progress in combating insurgency, citing intensified security operations, arrests of key suspects, and improved international cooperation.
General Musa disclosed that several individuals accused of financing terrorist activities have been apprehended, while others are facing prosecution. He explained that security and intelligence agencies are working to disrupt funding networks linked to terrorism, including those allegedly involving political actors.
He said the Nigeria Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services are collaborating with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and international partners to track and cut off financial flows sustaining insurgent groups. “These coordinated efforts are yielding results despite persistent security challenges across the country”, he added.
Acknowledging the strain on the Armed Forces, General Musa noted steps being taken to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through improved funding, enhanced recruitment processes, and better coordination among security agencies. He emphasized the role of reliable data systems in military recruitment to ensure proper identification and prevent infiltration.
The Defence Minister ruled out deploying foreign combat forces, stressing that Nigerians remain at the forefront of the fight against insurgency, supported by international partnerships in training, intelligence, and equipment. He highlighted growing defence collaboration with Turkey, particularly in border surveillance, intelligence gathering, logistics, and infrastructure, and confirmed that some military hardware has already been received under bilateral agreements.
Addressing recent security threats, including an attempted coup in a neighbouring country, General Musa said they were neutralised following swift military intervention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation for West African stability.
He urged state governments to take greater responsibility for grassroots security, particularly at the local government level, warning that criminal networks exploit weak oversight in areas like motor parks to transport weapons and ammunition. He traced insecurity to delayed responses during the early stages of the insurgency and stressed the need for decisive, coordinated action.
Regarding the North Central, North East, and North West, the Defence Minister stated that military operations have eliminated several terrorist commanders, while troops are intensifying efforts in border states to prevent the spread of insecurity southwards. Ongoing operations are also focused on reclaiming key strongholds, including the Sambisa Forest and other insurgent enclaves.
He appealed to political, traditional, and religious leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and instead promote national unity against criminality. On reports about a senior military officer, General Musa clarified that the officer remains missing in action, with no confirmed evidence of death, and that the Armed Forces are in contact with the family.
Responding to speculation about his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections, the Defence Minister reiterated that his focus remains entirely on national security and fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by the President.
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