The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, issued a stern warning to Nigerians against providing any form of support to bandits and terrorists.
Speaking at an interactive session on government-citizen interaction sponsored by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna, the CDS stated that anyone who contributes to the country’s insecurity, directly or indirectly, is an enemy of the state.
“Anyone who is contributing one way or the other to the downfall of our country is an enemy of the state, and we must face him squarely and defeat him,” he said.
Musa highlighted the military’s determination to secure the north and the entire country.
He said, “We will never let the north down. We will never let Nigeria down. We are ready for whatever it takes to succeed.
“We’re committed; we will stay awake 24/7 to ensure that the north is free, Nigeria is secure, and any enemy of the state will be pursued relentlessly until total peace and tranquillity are restored.”
The CDS also emphasised the importance of community cooperation in security operations, saying, “If the people are not happy with what we are doing, then we are not succeeding.
“Commanders must ensure they carry the community along and protect them. Our operations are not aimed at harming innocent people but targeting the bad guys.”
He warned that individuals who provided robbers with fuel, food, or other resources were equally responsible.
“If we find out that you are part of the criminal network by supplying them, you are also a bandit, and you are also a terrorist,” Musa said.
The CDS advised Nigerians to avoid any connection with terrorists and bandits, emphasising that denying these groups’ support is critical to their defeat.
“The terrorists and bandits live among us. If we continue to provide them with services, they will continue to thrive. But if we deny them, they will fizzle out.”
Musa stated that in the last two years, the armed forces had killed over 3,000 terrorists and bandits, gained the surrender of more than 120,000 rebels, and rescued up to 2,000 kidnapped victims.
He stated that around 2,300 arms and 72,000 rounds of ammunition have been collected from northern areas of operation.
