- Safiu Kehinde
Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has revealed reason behind the migration of terrorists’ groups into Nigeria.
Musa disclosed that the terrorists, who largely entered the country through neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger, considered Nigeria as a rich country where they can make money.
The ex-CDS made the disclosure while fielding questions from lawmakers as his ongoing screening by the Senate on Wednesday for the approval of his appointment as the new Minister of Defence.
Musa, who was on Tuesday appointed by President Bola Tinubu following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru, harped on the need to tighten the country’s border in order to prevent the influx of the terrorists.
“The terrorists we are dealing with think Nigeria is so rich that when they come to Nigeria, they can make it.
“So, anything they are doing anywhere, their target is to come into Nigeria.
“And that is why it is important that we must make sure we secure our border and deny them the entry and those ones that are within, we are able to take them out.” He said.
Musa highlighted some of his plan on how to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity challenge as the Defence Minister.
He disclosed plan to utilise technology and foster togetherness between the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He also pledged to ensure effective utilisation of funds allocated to Ministry.
“With technology, working together with the Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies, and the communities, I think that is where the gap has been, we will be able to address that properly.
“I will be able to also secure these children and to stop issues of kidnapping all over the country.
“One basic area we are also going to look at is the accountability of the Armed Forces. Whatever fund is being made, we want to make sure that the funds are properly utilised.
“And I think that is very critical so that we can make sure that whatever it is we are getting are things that will help us and assist us and the members of the Armed Forces in carrying out their action.” The ex-CDS said.
Musa however disclosed the Armed Force challenge in terms of partnership with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He maintained that the fight against terrorism majorly depend on good governance, building capacity, and working together with all the other MDAs.
Musa held that the Police, Civil Defense, and Ministries all have their roles to play alongside the Armed Forces.
“On the issue of policy, what we have observed overtime was that with the MDAs, we have not really been able to get the full support of the MDAs.
“I think one mistake we make is that we think the Armed Forces can solve all the problems. The Armed Forces solution is just 20-25 percent.
“Majority has to do with good governance, building capacity, working together with all the other MDAs.
“The police have a lot contribute. Civil Defence, all other agencies, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Interior. We need to harmonise all these.” He said.
While affirming that his administration will have zero tolerance on banditry and terrorism, Musa reiterated the need for diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries over the security status of their border.
He also noted that he will ensure that local communities are fully engaged in the fight against terrorism.
“Diplomatically again, our neighbouring countries, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic, we need to also reach out to them because if they are able to secure their own borders, it means our own borders will be secured.
“If theirs is porous, ours is going to be porous because we have more to lose.
“There will be zero police on anything banditry, terrorism. We are going to go out and make sure that the Armed Forces go fully all out, working together with the locals.
“Like I said, security is localised. If we don’t carry the communities along, we are going to continue to run into issues.” Musa added.