According to a video clip shared by Imran Muhammad on X on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, General Christopher Musa has emphasised the urgent need for unified regional action, enhanced border control and stronger inter-agency coordination to combat banditry and terrorism across Nigeria. The Chief of Defence Staff nominee made the remarks during his continued screening session at the National Assembly, where he responded to questions on national security challenges and the operational gaps affecting the armed forces.
Gen. Musa highlighted the success of the South-West region as an example of how collaboration can strengthen internal security. “Why the Southwest seem to be doing very well, sir, is because all the governors agreed together. And that’s why regionally governors must come together, because two, three are better than one,” he said. He stressed that criminal elements operate freely across borders, making coordinated action both necessary and unavoidable. “And that’s why for us to them to understand that the bandits do not respect borders. They do not at all,” he noted.
The defence chief warned that insurgents often exploit international boundaries to evade military pressure, particularly in the North-West. “In fact, where they get their strength is their ability to run when you attack them, especially around Sokoto area, the entire Niger. And once you get to Niger, you can’t touch them until they come back in,” he explained. He called for improved support to the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, insisting that reinforcing its capacity would curb infiltration from the Sahel. “We need to also build up their capacity to hold up down towards the border with Mali and Burkina Faso,” he said, warning that the recent incursions into Kwara and parts of the South-West must be halted immediately. “We must stop them not to get further than that,” he added.
Gen. Musa also underscored the need to harmonise roles across ministries, departments and agencies. “Firstly, to ensure that all the MDAs know they have a role to play,” he said. He described Nigeria’s legal framework as outdated and incapable of providing swift justice. “Most of our laws look obsolete. And because sometimes justice is delayed, then it becomes a problem. Because once punishment is meted immediately and action is done, it serves as deterrence to others,” he warned.
He further highlighted illegal mining as a major source of terrorist financing. “All mining activities have to be monitored properly because that’s another source of funding. All areas that they are getting their funds for, we must look at those aspects and stop and prevent them,” he said. Gen. Musa concluded by emphasising the role of technology in tracking financial flows and strengthening reforms. “If we’re able to do that holistically using technology, sir, we’ll achieve so much. Thank you very much,” he said.
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