Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has attributed the persistence of terrorism, insurgency and banditry in the country to the support criminal groups receive from some members of the public.
Speaking at the June 12 edition of The Platform, organised by The Covenant Nation in Lagos and broadcast on Channels Television on Friday, Musa said armed groups continue to operate because they are sustained by individuals living within affected communities.
According to him, terrorists and bandits depend heavily on local assistance for survival, making security operations far more challenging.
“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.
“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, and we call this the oxygen.”
The minister questioned the sources of support available to criminal networks, insisting that many of their resources come from ordinary citizens.
“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 added.
His remarks come against the backdrop of continuing military operations across several parts of the country and growing public concern over recurring attacks.
Nigeria has faced multiple security threats over the past decade. While troops continue to target Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East, communities in states such as Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna remain under pressure from armed bandits.
Recent incidents have also raised concerns about the spread of terrorist activities beyond traditional hotspots. Last month, gunmen reportedly attacked three schools in Oyo State, abducting more than 40 teachers and students while demanding the release of detained commanders.
Musa said the nature of modern conflict differs significantly from conventional warfare, where opponents were clearly identifiable.
“Conventional warfare in the past used to be state to state, country to country, so you know who your enemy is. The most dangerous aspects of battle or campaign is when the enemy is within,” he said.
He maintained that the efforts of the military and other security agencies can only succeed when citizens actively cooperate by providing information and supporting lawful security measures.
“The armed forces, the security agencies, no matter what they do, if the people are not ready to support, it makes it extremely very difficult,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that unity is essential to overcoming security challenges.
“We must continue to work in unity because it is these gaps that exist between us that this individual sees and try to expand to separate us and divide us and we must not let that happen,” he said.
Reflecting on Democracy Day, Musa described June 12 as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for democratic governance. He noted that democracy can only flourish where security, responsible leadership, active citizenship and strong institutions exist.
“No democracy can flourish where fear dominates daily life. No democracy can deliver prosperity where violence disrupts communities,” he said.
He further argued that tackling present-day security threats requires more than military action, highlighting the importance of intelligence gathering, technology, cooperation among institutions and citizen involvement.
Musa also warned about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, saying social media platforms are increasingly being used to spread false narratives that undermine public trust and national cohesion.
He pointed to instability across the Sahel region, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, as an additional challenge for Nigeria because of the movement of weapons and other cross-border threats.
Calling for stronger collaboration between citizens and government institutions, the minister emphasised that security personnel should not be viewed as adversaries.
“The security forces are not the enemies of the state. In fact, what I always say is that we are all victims,” he said.
He also cautioned against ethnic, religious and political divisions, warning that such fault lines provide opportunities for criminal groups to exploit tensions.
“We are all Nigerians, God doesn’t make mistakes, he has a purpose for putting us together,” he said.
Addressing younger Nigerians, Musa urged them to preserve and strengthen the democratic gains secured by previous generations.
“To our young people, I say this, the generation that fought for June 12th secured democracy. The responsibility of our generation was to secure it, strengthen it, and pass it on stronger than we received it,” he said.
He added that patriotism requires citizens to act responsibly even when there is no recognition or reward.
“Patriotism means doing what is right even when no one is watching,” he said.
Quoting President Bola Tinubu, the minister reiterated the government’s determination to confront insecurity.
“Nigeria will not surrender to fear. We will not allow terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, or violent extremists to define who we are as a people.”
Musa concluded by stressing that lasting progress in Nigeria will depend on security, national cohesion and a shared commitment to the country’s future.