Nigeria minister of defence, General Christopher Musa, has said Nigeria cannot defeat Terrorism through military force alone, stressing that lasting peace requires the combined efforts of the government, communities and security agencies.
Speaking at a public forum on AriseNews, 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.
“As professionals, we train our troops before deploying them, and once they are deployed, they are able to identify who is a bandit, who is a terrorist and who is a civilian.”
He described the fight against insurgency as asymmetric warfare, noting that it is far more difficult than conventional warfare because terrorists often hide among civilians.
“The enemy is within. It could be the person you think is your citizen, your brother or your uncle. That is what makes it 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.
“No country can shoot itself to peace. The kinetic aspect is about 25 to 30 percent. The non-kinetic approach dialogue, understanding and working with communities is 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.
