By Gabriel Ameh
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, has declared that Nigeria has defeated terrorists, arguing that attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP and other extremist groups have significantly reduced across the country.
Musa made the assertion during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he said the security situation had improved under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Responding to whether terrorists had been defeated or merely displaced, the minister said the frequency and brazenness of terrorist attacks had declined considerably.
“Frankly speaking, we have defeated terrorists because now, like I said, the attacks are not as rampant and it is now kidnapping,” Musa said.
He explained that the security situation had shifted from large-scale terrorist and insurgent attacks towards criminal activities, particularly abductions and kidnapping.
According to the minister, the reduced frequency of attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP indicates progress in military operations against terrorist groups.
“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.
Musa said security forces were continuing to target terrorist enclaves and rescue abducted persons, adding that criminal groups were increasingly turning to kidnapping as a means of raising funds.
The minister, however, warned politicians against distributing motorcycles as palliatives, saying such motorcycles could potentially be diverted to criminal groups and used to facilitate their activities.
“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.
Musa advised politicians who choose to distribute motorcycles to consider lower-capacity models that, in his view, would provide less mobility and advantage to criminal elements if diverted.
On local government administration, the Defence Minister stressed the importance of allowing local governments to function effectively, saying weak local governance could contribute to insecurity.
He also addressed the 2027 general election and his membership of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council responsible for security.
Musa said his involvement would not compromise his duties as Defence Minister, maintaining that his primary responsibility remained the protection of Nigeria rather than the interest of 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 pledged that security agencies would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties to ensure a peaceful, 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.
