The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa Rtd, has declared that Nigeria has defeated terrorism, insisting that terrorists attacks are no longer as rampant or brazen as they used to be.
Musa made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, while explaining that insecurity had largely shifted from terrorism to kidnapping.
Asked whether terrorists had been defeated or merely displaced, he said, “Frankly speaking we have defeated terrorists because now, like I said, the attacks are not as rampant and it is now to kidnapping.”
He added, “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.”
According to him, the security situation follows a downward trajectory from criminality to kidnapping, terrorism and insurgency after security forces successfully target the perpetrators.
“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.
Musa also said troops were entering terriosts’ enslaves and rescuing many abducted persons.
On his role in the APC presidential campaign team, he maintained that his duties would remain non partisan, saying, “I am a professional, I will never succumb to that level being partisan against opposition. Nigeria is my unit, whatever it takes to protect Nigeria that is what we stand for.”
He also urged governors to stop giving motorcycles as palliatives, warning that terrorists could end up using them for their activities.
“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,” he said.
He further stressed the need for local governments to function effectively, saying their failure contributes to insecurity.
