Defence Minister Reveals Why Military Alone Cannot End Terrorism in Nigeria

(Christopher Musa. Photo by PM News)

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said Nigeria cannot defeat t3rrorism through military force alone, stressing that lasting peace requires the combined efforts of government, communities, and security agencies.

Speaking at a public forum on a television programme, Musa explained that members of the Armed Forces operate under strict rules of engagement and are only permitted to use lethal force when their lives, the lives of fellow troops, or the people and property they are protecting are under immediate threat.

He said troops are trained before deployment and are able to distinguish between b@ndits, t3rrorists, and civilians once on ground.

He described the fight against insurgency as asymmetric warfare, noting that it is far more difficult than conventional warfare since t3rrorists often hide among civilians, stressing that the enemy could be someone perceived as a fellow citizen, a brother, or an uncle, which is what makes the conflict extremely difficult.

Drawing comparisons with other countries, Musa noted that Turkey has battled the PKK for more than 40 years, showing that such conflicts often take decades to resolve.

He stressed that military operations account for only a fraction of the solution, explaining that no country can shoot itself to peace, and that the kinetic aspect makes up only about 25 to 30 percent of the effort, while the non-kinetic approach, dialogue, understanding, and working with communities, forms the larger part.

He called for stronger collaboration between traditional rulers, religious leaders, local governments, and residents, saying they all have vital roles to play in tackling insecurity.

Musa also urged Nigeria to address structural issues such as building a reliable national database, strengthening the legal system, and improving governance, arguing that citizens are more likely to support security efforts when they feel well governed and included in the nation’s progress.