Defence Minister–designate Christopher Musa has issued a stark warning that obsolete security laws are giving criminal networks room to grow, insisting that Nigeria must urgently modernise its legal and operational response to terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
During his screening, the former Chief of Defence Staff presented a roadmap anchored in technology-driven intelligence, local participation, and seamless collaboration among security institutions.
He argued that no military strategy can succeed if communities remain disconnected, unprotected, or uninformed.
“Security cannot be centrally dictated; it must begin from villages, districts, and city wards,” Musa said.
“When communities become stakeholders, criminals lose access, anonymity, and their operational confidence.”
Moreover, he emphasised that accountability remains a cornerstone of public trust, noting that some security agencies are not operating at full capacity and lack coordination, despite confronting transnational threats.
He called for improved inter-agency communication, real-time field intelligence, and strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries.
“Terrorists perceive Nigeria as resource-rich and vulnerable,” he added.
“We stand to lose far more when our agencies operate in silos rather than as a united security ecosystem.”
He outlined unregulated mining as a major source of funding for armed groups, describing illegal mining sites as feeders for criminal logistics.
According to Musa, the adoption of modern tracking and monitoring technology is critical to cutting off revenue supply to violent networks.
His nomination comes after the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down citing health concerns, paving the way for Musa, widely regarded as the natural successor.
With public confidence shaken and global attention sharpening, Musa’s proposals hint at a shift toward a locally driven, technologically enhanced, and legally fortified defence posture, one aimed not only at crushing criminal activity, but eliminating the roots that fund and sustain it.