Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has declared that the country has defeated terrorists, arguing that attacks by groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP are no longer as frequent or brazen as they were in the past.
Musa made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday while discussing the country’s security situation and the changing nature of insecurity.
When asked whether terrorists had been defeated or merely displaced, the Defence Minister responded, “Frankly speaking we have defeated terrorists,” arguing that the frequency of terrorist attacks had significantly reduced and that kidnapping had become a more prominent security challenge.
“I can tell you there is improved security. Maybe if you noticed, you don’t hear so much of Boko Haram attacks, ISWAP attacks and all these things here and there, maybe one off,” he said.
Musa explained that, in his assessment, insecurity follows a downward trajectory when security forces successfully target terrorist groups and disrupt their operations. He said the country had moved from widespread criminality to kidnapping, terrorism and insurgency, with successful military operations forcing the perpetrators back towards kidnapping and abduction as a means of raising funds.
“Now I say, the trajectory is this, from criminality to kidnapping to terrorism, insurgency once you are able to hit them it goes back downwards and so we are now back into the stage of abductions and kidnappings because that is the easiest way for them to try and raise money,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that troops were continuing to enter terrorist enclaves and rescue abducted victims as part of ongoing military operations.
On his involvement in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign team, Musa maintained that his professional responsibilities would remain non-partisan.
“I am a professional, I will never succumb to that level being partisan against opposition. Nigeria is my unit, whatever it takes to protect Nigeria that is what we stand for,” he said.
Musa also appealed to state governors to reconsider the distribution of motorcycles as palliatives, warning that such motorcycles could eventually find their way into the hands of terrorists and be used to support their activities.
“We try to appeal to any governor to stop giving out motorcycles as palliatives because these motorcycles are still the same ones that will end up with these terrorists,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of effective local government administration in addressing insecurity, suggesting that weaknesses at the local government level can contribute to the persistence of security challenges.