By John Paul
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups aiding terrorist and bandit networks, declaring that anyone providing financial, logistical, or intelligence support to criminal elements would be treated as collaborators and dealt with decisively.
Musa gave the warning on Tuesday during an expanded Security Council meeting in Kaduna State, where he joined Governor Uba Sani and other stakeholders to review and strengthen ongoing security strategies in the state and across the country.
The defence chief said the military and other security agencies were intensifying efforts to dismantle the operational and support structures sustaining terrorism and banditry, particularly in the North-West and North-East regions.
According to him, the fight against insecurity cannot succeed without targeting the networks that provide terrorists with food, funding, shelter, and critical information.
“It is important to emphasise that individuals or groups who, directly or indirectly, provide support to terrorists—whether through intelligence, logistics, shelter, or financing—will be treated as active collaborators in undermining national security and will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Musa explained that the Federal Government was strengthening what he described as the “Kaduna Peace Model,” a security framework built on inclusivity, intelligence-driven operations, and enhanced collaboration among security agencies.
He noted that the model, which has been deployed in Kaduna State, is being refined to stay ahead of evolving threats and could serve as a template for other parts of the country battling similar security challenges.
The defence chief further disclosed that security forces were focusing on breaking the chain of support that enables criminal groups to operate, stressing that disrupting these networks remains critical to achieving lasting peace.
He commended Governor Sani for his continued partnership with the Armed Forces and his commitment to improving security through coordinated efforts at the state level.
Musa also paid tribute to fallen military personnel, including the late Brigadier General Braimah and other officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing their sacrifice as invaluable to the nation’s stability.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of our gallant fallen heroes. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and the nation remains eternally grateful for their service,” he said.
He reiterated that peace and security remain non-negotiable priorities for the military and the Federal Government, assuring Nigerians that ongoing operations would continue to target both armed groups and their enablers.
The renewed warning comes amid sustained military offensives against bandits and insurgents across several regions, as authorities seek to tighten the noose around both perpetrators and their support networks.