It’s difficult to defeat țerrorıst when people are supporting them” – Defence Minister Christopher Musa raises alarm

As Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across different parts of the country, the Federal Government has once again highlighted one of the major factors fueling insecurity, the support criminal groups receive from some members of the communities where they operate.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has expressed concern that the fight against terrorism remains challenging because some individuals are allegedly aiding terrorists and bandits with food, information, logistics, and other forms of support.

Speaking during the June 12 edition of The Platform held in Lagos, the retired General said security agencies are working tirelessly to eliminate criminal elements, but their efforts are often undermined by people who knowingly or unknowingly assist these groups.

According to Musa, terrorists and bandits cannot survive on their own in remote forests and hideouts without receiving support from people living within surrounding communities. He stressed that insecurity is not solely a military problem but a national challenge that requires the cooperation of every Nigerian.

Addressing participants at the event, the Defence Minister questioned why insecurity appears difficult to completely eradicate despite sustained military operations and significant investments in security.

“Banditry, insurgency, terrorism. Why does it seem so difficult to deal with it? Perhaps, we have the people that are also encouraging and supporting these things from happening because the terrorists, the bandits, survive around the people,” he said.

Musa explained that investigations and intelligence reports have repeatedly revealed cases where criminal groups received food supplies, drinking water, information about troop movements, and other forms of assistance from individuals within local communities.

“There are several stories of how people have aided them in giving them food, giving them water, and giving them information, and these are the things that keep them going. We call this the oxygen that sustains them,” he stated.

The Defence Minister said security forces can only achieve lasting success when communities refuse to provide any form of support to criminals and instead cooperate with authorities by sharing credible intelligence.

In an emotional appeal to Nigerians, Musa urged citizens to recognize that terrorism and banditry thrive when criminals find willing collaborators among the population. He warned that those who assist terrorists for financial gain, fear, or personal interest are indirectly contributing to the loss of innocent lives across the country.

The retired General further questioned the source of funding and logistics that enable criminal groups to continue operating despite military pressure.

“Who is funding them? Who are those giving them information? Who are those giving them the logistics that keep them going? It is still the people,” he asked.

His remarks come at a time when many Nigerians are demanding stronger action against insecurity following repeated attacks, kidnappings, and killings in several states. The comments have also reignited conversations about the role of community members in supporting security agencies and the need for citizens to report suspicious activities before they escalate into deadly attacks.

While acknowledging the sacrifices being made by members of the armed forces and other security agencies, Musa maintained that military operations alone cannot end insecurity. He emphasized that victory against terrorism will require collective action, trust between citizens and security forces, and a firm refusal by communities to provide shelter, supplies, or intelligence to criminal groups.

As Nigeria marked Democracy Day, the Defence Minister’s message served as a sobering reminder that defeating terrorism is not only a battle fought on the frontlines but also one that depends heavily on the choices made by ordinary citizens every day. If communities deny criminals the support they need to survive, he argued, the fight against insecurity could become significantly easier and more effective.