‘Enemy Within’: Gen. Musa Urges Communities to End Support for Bandits

Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, retired General Christopher Musa, has called on communities across the country to stop providing safe havens or protection to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, warning that such actions directly fuel insecurity and undermine national stability.

Speaking on Saturday, January 30, 2026, at the 7th OurNigeria News Awards ceremony in Abuja (organized under the theme “Resilience and Renewal”), Gen. Musa described Nigeria’s current security challenges as a complex form of asymmetric warfare that cannot be defeated by military action alone. He stressed that public cooperation, intelligence sharing, and community-level rejection of criminality are essential to lasting peace.

“This is asymmetric warfare. It is not like conventional warfare where you are fighting another country. In this case, the enemy is within, and that makes it more dangerous,” the minister said. “You cannot see it on someone’s face. It could be someone you think is your friend or someone you trust. That is why people must not give criminals any safe haven.”

Gen. Musa urged Nigerians to report any suspicious activity without fear, assuring that security agencies would protect informants. He highlighted progress in the security situation, but cautioned that gains remain fragile without full societal involvement. “Peace is a whole-of-society effort, and everyone has a role to play,” he added. “We are getting there. It is improving by day.”

The New Defense Leadership

General Christopher Musa’s transition from Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) to Minister of Defense in December 2025 marked a pivotal shift in President Tinubu’s security strategy. Having served as CDS since 2023, Musa succeeded Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. His appointment as a retired General in a civilian ministerial role is intended to bridge the gap between policy and the frontlines. His “whole-of-society” doctrine specifically targets the informant networks that have historically allowed bandit groups in the North West to evade military airstrikes and ground sweeps.

Event Context and Broader Message

The remarks were delivered during an awards ceremony recognizing excellence in leadership and service. Gen. Musa himself received the Man of the Year 2025 award for his leadership in national security. In a goodwill message, the Emir of Doma Kingdom, Ahmadu Onawu, stressed that Nigeria’s abundant resources leave no excuse for persistent poverty, attributing challenges to failures in effectively deploying resources for nation-building.

Publisher Sani Abubakar emphasized the awards’ focus on integrity, noting that recipients attended at their own expense. He highlighted examples of quiet impact-makers, such as philanthropist Sadik Ishan, who donated vehicles to both Christian and Islamic associations as symbols of religious tolerance and unity. Abubakar expressed optimism that the awards would grow, with plans to introduce cash grants for select categories to encourage greater societal contributions.

Security Landscape in Nigeria

The minister’s call comes amid persistent challenges, including banditry in the North West, insurgency in the North East, and farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt. Bandits often rely on community protection or local informants to evade security forces, making intelligence from residents critical to operations.

Gen. Musa’s remarks reinforce the government’s approach to security, which combines military action with intelligence-led operations, community engagement, and development initiatives to address root causes like poverty and unemployment. The event highlighted the intersection of security and national renewal, with leaders urging collective responsibility to build a safer Nigeria.