The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, has identified informants and suppliers of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) as critical hurdles in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, particularly in the Northeast and Northwest regions.
Describing these enablers as the “oxygen” sustaining terrorism, Musa emphasized the need to disrupt their networks to weaken terrorist operations.
Speaking at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja during the opening of a two-day Security and Justice Symposium, Musa outlined the importance of cutting off logistical support and funding to terrorist groups.
He cited previous successes during his tenure as Northeast theatre commander, where denying terrorists access to logistics forced the surrender of nearly 200,000 insurgents.
“We need to tackle the issue of informants and logistics suppliers who are fueling the insurgency. If we can sever this ‘oxygen,’ we will achieve significant progress,” Musa stated.
He also called for collaboration among security agencies and emphasized the role of the judiciary in ensuring justice and fairness to foster a sense of inclusion among citizens.
In his address, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu highlighted the symposium’s role in fostering dialogue and cooperation among security and justice stakeholders.
He described the platform as critical for addressing challenges and enhancing efforts within the security and justice sectors.
The symposium aims to assess Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategies, address existing challenges, and identify new opportunities for strengthening national security.