Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has explained that insecurity in the country often intensifies during political periods due to a mix of internal sabotage and external support for violent groups.
Speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, April 14, Musa described the situation as a complex conflict against a persistent and highly motivated enemy.
According to him, insurgents benefit from assistance beyond Nigeria’s borders and operate with little regard for consequences, making them difficult to defeat. He also highlighted the role of informants within communities, noting that some civilians provide sensitive information that enables attackers to carry out coordinated assaults.
Musa revealed that such intelligence-sharing allows insurgents to outnumber and overpower security forces during operations. He added that many casualties recorded by the military are not from direct combat but from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), referencing a recent incident in Monguno where a commanding officer was killed by an explosion.
On the political angle, the Defence Chief suggested that spikes in violence are sometimes deliberate attempts to weaken public confidence in the government. He noted that certain actors exploit the political climate to create the impression that the administration is ineffective.
He cited a case of three bomb explosions occurring within a single day as an example of attacks designed to achieve maximum impact. When asked about those responsible, Musa said the threat comes from individuals both within and outside the country who do not have Nigeria’s best interests at heart.
Despite these challenges, he affirmed that the military remains focused on tackling insecurity, while also managing complex issues such as regulating substances like urea fertilizer—commonly used in making IEDs—without disrupting agricultural activities.