Jelili Gbadamosi
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has said the fight against banditry and terrorism cannot be won by the military alone, stressing that the support of local communities is critical to defeating criminal groups.
Speaking on Thursday at the Arise Television Town Hall on State Police, Musa explained that many terrorists and bandits live within communities, making intelligence and cooperation from residents essential to security operations.
According to him, security forces face greater challenges when communities sympathise with or support insurgents, but record significant successes when residents work closely with the military and government authorities.
“The terrorists live within the communities. If the communities are on the side of the insurgents, it makes it difficult for security forces to win the battle, and if the communities are with the security forces, it makes it a lot easier,” he said.
The Defence Minister noted that security is a collective responsibility that requires strong collaboration among the military, government institutions and local communities.
He stressed the need for continuous engagement with citizens to help them understand the important role they play in providing information and supporting efforts to restore peace and security.
Musa also called for greater involvement of local governments, traditional rulers and religious leaders in addressing insecurity, saying grassroots institutions must be empowered to contribute meaningfully to national security efforts.
“For us to succeed, our local governments must be up and doing, our communities must be up and doing, and we must give opportunities for traditional rulers, religious leaders and local governments to contribute to security in their communities,” he added.
The minister’s remarks come amid growing calls for community policing and the creation of state police as part of broader efforts to tackle Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
