The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has charged state governors to stop giving motorcycles as palliatives.
Musa warned that the vehicles often end up in the hands of terrorists who use them for their nefarious activities.
The minister gave the charge while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
While maintaining that the country has recorded improved security under President Bola Tinubu with terrorist attacks becoming less frequent, Musa frowned against the governors’ donation of motorcycles as palliatives which he claimed further give the terrorists leverage as it often ended up in their camp.
The Defence Minister said the government should consider providing low-capacity motorcycles if it must distribute them as palliatives, noting that this would reduce the advantage terrorists could gain from them.
“We try to appeal to any governor to stop giving out motorcycles as palliatives because these motorcycles are still the same ones that will end up with these terrorists.
“Even if you are to give, don’t give them the big capacity motorcycles, give them the small capacity ones that they won’t be able to use to run around because that gives them leverage. They can easily enter anywhere and then disappear at the same time.” He said.
According to reports, Musa reiterated that there has been improved security in Nigeria, noting that attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP are no longer as frequent as they used to be.
“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.
“Now I say, the trajectory is this, from criminality to kidnapping to terrorism, insurgency; once you are able to hit them it goes back downwards and so we are now back into the stage of abductions and kidnappings because that is the easiest way for them to try and raise money.” He said.
The former Chief of Defence Staff noted that troops are now moving into the terrorists’ enclaves and recovering many of the abducted individuals.
He also stressed the need to allow local governments to function effectively, insisting that the failure of local governments is among the factors aggravating insecurity in the country.