Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has delivered a forceful warning to citizens and others who may be providing material or logistical support to terrorists, bandits, insurgents and other criminal actors, declaring that such assistance will no longer be tolerated and that security agencies now have an unequivocal mandate to act decisively against collaborators and sympathisers. The statement comes amid concerted efforts by the Federal Government to break the hold of violent networks across multiple regions of the country and to accelerate the restoration of peace and normalcy for communities long afflicted by insecurity.
General Musa articulated the government’s position on Saturday while serving as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Golf Tournament held at the TYB International Golf Club, located within the Yar’Adua Barracks in Abuja. The event, part of broader commemorative activities to honour serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, provided a platform for the Defence Minister to address not only the military community but the nation at large.
In a direct appeal to Nigerians, Musa emphasised that the current security landscape requires unified resolve and unambiguous commitment from all segments of society. “Those who are still supporting bandits, criminals, insurgents and terrorists should stop immediately,” he said, invoking a popular proverb to underscore his point: “The friend of a thief is a thief.” The implication, he warned, is clear — individuals found aiding or abetting these networks will be treated as part of the threat and face the full consequences of their actions should they be encountered on the battlefield or in other operational contexts.
Although the Defence Minister’s remarks were ostensibly directed at those actively assisting criminal elements, Musa also used the occasion to call on law-abiding citizens to deepen their support for security agencies. He underscored that intelligence from the public — timely and credible — remains one of the most effective tools for disrupting criminal networks that thrive by exploiting gaps in information and community trust. “As soon as you see something, say something, so the Armed Forces can take swift action,” he urged, stressing that a vigilant and cooperative populace can significantly enhance national security outcomes.
The defence ministry’s renewed emphasis on citizen support reflects broader shifts in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, which increasingly seeks to integrate local communities into information-sharing frameworks and to reduce the capacity of armed groups to sustain themselves through covert supply lines, safe havens and informal networks. By framing support for criminals as tantamount to criminality itself, the government aims to delegitimise any perceived tolerance for these groups and to sever links that may inadvertently sustain their operations.
General Musa also paid tribute to the personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), commemorating both the living and fallen. He described the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day as an annual observance that acknowledges the dedication of troops — including those wounded in the line of duty — and their families, whose sacrifices underpin the nation’s collective security. This period, he noted, serves as both a moment of solemn remembrance and a renewal of commitment to the mission of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and civilian population.
The Defence Minister also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, for his unwavering support for the military’s mission and welfare. Musa highlighted that the President’s backing has been instrumental in bolstering morale within the ranks and in providing strategic direction for the conduct of security operations. “The President has consistently stood with our armed forces, providing support and encouragement. This commitment strengthens our resolve to protect the nation,” he said.
Echoing Musa’s call for unity in the fight against insecurity, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, also addressed attendees at the golf event. Oluyede reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and that the Armed Forces cannot achieve sustainable peace in isolation. He appealed for prompt reporting of suspicious activities, reinforcing the message that public cooperation remains indispensable to operational success. “Security is everybody’s business,” Oluyede remarked, acknowledging both the contributions of Nigerians to date and the necessity of deeper engagement going forward.
The heightened rhetoric from Nigeria’s defence leadership arrives against a backdrop of ongoing insecurity across multiple parts of the country, where insurgent groups, bandits and criminal syndicates have continued to challenge the authority of the state through violence, kidnappings, robbery and other forms of illicit activity. Analysts note that these groups often operate through intricate support networks that extend into local communities, complicating efforts by security forces to isolate and dismantle them. Consequently, the government’s recent pronouncements signal a shift toward placing greater responsibility on citizens to align unequivocally with state efforts to uproot these threats.
The Defence Minister’s warning also resonates with broader policy imperatives laid down by the Federal Government in recent months, as authorities have been under mounting pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements in security and to reassure Nigerians weary of protracted conflict. By unequivocally stating that collaborators of terrorists and criminal actors will be pursued with the same vigour as the principal threats themselves, the government is seeking to close off any perceived avenues of informal support that have historically allowed such groups to endure.
The implications of Musa’s warning extend beyond rhetoric. Security agencies are understood to have been given clear directives to expand their operational reach, sharpen intelligence-led interventions, and intensify actions against networks that sustain violence. The minister’s public declaration effectively places collaborators on notice that tolerance or ambivalence toward criminal elements is no longer acceptable and that the state’s instruments of law enforcement will be empowered to act without restraint.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with its multifaceted security challenges, the Defence Minister’s message underscores the deepening interface between citizen engagement and national defence. Whether this appeal yields measurable changes in public cooperation and corresponding security gains remains a subject of intense focus for policymakers, security practitioners, and communities directly affected by violence. What is clear, however, is that the government’s posture reflects a renewed determination to confront all facets of insecurity — from armed insurgencies to the covert support structures that enable them.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments