Amid ongoing concerns over insecurity, Nigeria’s Defence Minister, 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, Musa highlighted progress in combating insurgency, citing intensified operations, arrests of key suspects, and improved international cooperation.
Gen. Musa said several individuals accused of financing terrorist activities have been apprehended, while others are facing prosecution. Security and intelligence agencies are working to disrupt funding networks linked to terrorism, including those allegedly involving political actors.
He explained that 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”, he added.
Acknowledging the strain on the Armed Forces, General Musa noted steps to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through improved funding, better recruitment, and enhanced coordination among agencies. He emphasized the role of reliable data systems to prevent infiltration during recruitment.
Ruling out foreign combat forces, he stressed that Nigerians remain at the forefront of the fight, supported by training, intelligence, and equipment partnerships. He highlighted growing defence collaboration with Turkey in areas such as border surveillance, intelligence gathering, logistics, and infrastructure. Some military hardware has already been received under bilateral agreements.
Addressing recent threats, including an attempted coup in a neighbouring country, he said swift intervention under President Bola Tinubu neutralised them. He stressed the importance of regional cooperation for West African stability.
He urged state governments to take responsibility for grassroots security, warning that criminal networks exploit weak oversight in local areas like motor parks. He traced insecurity to delayed responses early in the insurgency and stressed the need for decisive, coordinated action.
He appealed to political, traditional, and religious leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and promote national unity. On reports about a senior military officer, he clarified the officer remains missing in action, with no confirmed evidence of death, and the Armed Forces remain in contact with the family.
Responding to speculation about his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections, General Musa reiterated his focus remains entirely on national security and fulfilling the President’s mandate.
