Fresh Insight: Defence Minister Reveals Why Terrorists Keep Striking in Nigeria

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has stated that Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, and insurgency remain challenging due to the support criminal groups receive from sponsors and some members of the public.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He made this known on Friday at the 2026 edition of The Platform Nigeria, a national discourse held in commemoration of Democracy Day. The event, monitored by Channels Television, was convened by the Senior Pastor and Founder of The Covenant Nation, Pastor Poju Oyemade.

Speaking on the theme, “Governance, Democracy and National Security,” Musa explained that terrorist and bandit groups rely heavily on local collaborators for essential resources such as food, water, intelligence, logistics, and funding.

He stressed that meaningful progress in the fight against insecurity would only be achieved if citizens actively reject and expose individuals who support criminal activities.

“Everything revolves around the people. If the people are ready and willing to make changes, change will occur. If not, nothing will happen,” Musa said.

He further noted that the persistence of banditry, insurgency, and terrorism is partly due to the existence of individuals who enable such groups within communities.

“These criminals survive among the people. There are reports of individuals providing them with food, water, and information—this is what sustains them. The question is: who is funding them, who is giving them intelligence, and who is providing logistics? It all comes back to the people,” he said.

The minister added that modern security challenges are more complex than traditional warfare, where enemies were clearly defined.

“In conventional warfare, it was state against state, so the enemy was known. Today, the most dangerous situation is when the enemy is within,” he said.

“That person you may be protecting could be the same one waiting for an opportunity to strike.”

Musa emphasized that the effectiveness of security operations depends heavily on public cooperation.

“No matter how hard the armed forces and security agencies work, without the support of the people, the task becomes extremely difficult,” he added.

He also called for national unity, warning that terrorists exploit societal divisions to further their agenda.

“We must remain united, because these gaps between us are what they exploit to divide us. We must not allow that,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, former Senate President Bukola Saraki highlighted the importance of an independent legislature in sustaining democracy and ensuring accountability.

Saraki argued that a parliament that simply endorses executive decisions without proper scrutiny fails in its constitutional duty.

“A legislature that cannot say no is not truly a legislature. One that merely approves executive proposals without scrutiny performs only a ceremonial role,” he said.

He further clarified that legislative independence should not be mistaken for opposition to the executive, but rather as a key pillar of democratic governance.

“The independence of the National Assembly is not rebellion against the government. It is what gives legitimacy to governance, because an untested mandate is one that cannot be trusted,” Saraki added.