Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has explained why terrorism, banditry and other security challenges continue to persist in Nigeria, attributing part of the problem to support networks within local communities.
Musa made the remarks on Friday while speaking at the June 12 edition of The Platform, a public policy forum organised by The Covenant Nation in Lagos.
According to the defence minister, criminal groups such as terrorists and bandits often rely on assistance from individuals who provide them with food, information, logistics and other forms of support that enable their operations.
“Banditry, insurgency and terrorism — why does it seem so difficult to deal with them? Perhaps it is because there are people who are encouraging and supporting these activities,” he said.
“The terrorists and bandits live among the people. There are several reports of individuals aiding them with food, water and intelligence, and these are the things that keep them going. We call this their oxygen.”
Musa questioned the sources of support available to criminal groups, arguing that their ability to sustain operations is largely dependent on collaboration from within affected communities.
“Who is funding them? Who is giving them information? Who is providing the logistics that keep them going? It is still the people,” he added.
The minister noted that modern security threats have become increasingly complex because criminal elements often blend into civilian populations, making it more difficult for security agencies to identify and isolate them.
He stressed that the military and other security agencies cannot overcome insecurity without the active cooperation of citizens, urging Nigerians to provide timely intelligence, report suspicious activities and support ongoing efforts to improve national security.
