Musa warns politicians against distributing high-capacity motorcycles as palliatives
By Stephen Simon
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has declared that Nigeria has made significant progress in the war against terrorism and violent extremism, claiming that terrorist attacks have been substantially weakened across the country.
Musa said the decline in the frequency and scale of attacks by Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other extremist groups was evidence that security forces had succeeded in pushing the terrorists back.
The minister spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he said the security challenge had gradually shifted from terrorism and insurgency to kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
Asked whether the country had defeated the terrorists or merely forced them to relocate, Musa said the government had effectively defeated them, pointing to the reduced frequency of major terrorist attacks.
“Frankly speaking, we have defeated terrorists because now, like I said, the attacks are not as rampant and it is now kidnapping,” he said.
According to him, the present wave of abductions represents a lower stage of criminal activity compared with the scale of insurgency previously experienced in the country.
Musa maintained that the security situation had improved under President Bola Tinubu, noting that Nigerians no longer hear frequent reports of major Boko Haram or ISWAP attacks.
“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.
He explained that security threats often evolve through different stages, adding that sustained military pressure forces criminal groups to move from terrorism and insurgency towards less sophisticated forms of criminal activity.
The minister said kidnappers were increasingly resorting to abductions as a means of raising funds, describing kidnapping as an easier way for criminal elements to finance their operations.
He further disclosed that troops were increasingly penetrating terrorist hideouts and rescuing people held captive by the groups.
Musa warns against motorcycle donations
The Defence Minister also appealed to politicians to reconsider the practice of distributing motorcycles as palliatives, warning that such gestures could inadvertently provide terrorists with equipment that enhances their mobility.
According to Musa, motorcycles are particularly useful to criminal groups because they can be used to access difficult terrain, move quickly and evade security personnel.
He advised politicians who still wish to distribute motorcycles to consider low-capacity models that would be less useful to terrorists if they fall into criminal hands.
“We try to appeal to politicians 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 added that high-capacity motorcycles could give terrorists an operational advantage by allowing them to move rapidly through areas that are difficult for security forces to access.
Local government failure fuels insecurity
Musa also identified ineffective local government administration as one of the factors contributing to insecurity, stressing the importance of allowing the third tier of government to operate effectively.
He argued that functional local governments would strengthen governance at the grassroots and help address some of the conditions that enable criminality to thrive.
2027 election
On the 2027 general election, the minister said insecurity would not prevent President Tinubu from campaigning for another term in office.
He also defended his membership of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, where he is expected to oversee security-related matters, saying the role would not compromise his duties as Defence Minister.
Musa said his primary allegiance remained to Nigeria and not to any political party.
“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.
He stressed that the security agencies would work with all political parties to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
According to him, the military and other security agencies would support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in creating an environment for a free, fair and credible election.
“We want a peaceful election, so we are going to work towards that and we are going to work with all the parties because that is why I am Minister of Defence, to ensure that every security force does what is right,” Musa said.
He added that Nigeria had moved beyond the era in which elections were routinely associated with insecurity and controversy, insisting that all stakeholders must work towards ensuring credible polls in 2027.
