Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has identified a recurring pattern of rising insecurity during political periods, attributing it to a mix of internal sabotage and external support for insurgent groups.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, the Defence Chief described the country’s security situation as a complex and ongoing conflict.
“We are fighting a war and we are fighting a determined enemy, who is getting support from outside and has nothing to lose,” he said, highlighting the challenges posed by ideologically driven groups.
Musa pointed to insider collaboration as a key factor aiding attacks, noting that informants within communities often provide critical intelligence to insurgents.
“These same individuals that people see as civilians are the ones telling them that this unit has only twenty soldiers,” he explained, adding that such information enables attackers to mobilise in large numbers.
He also revealed that many casualties among security personnel are caused by Improvised Explosive Devices rather than direct confrontations, citing a recent incident in Monguno where a commanding officer was killed by an IED.
Addressing the political dimension, Musa suggested that the surge in attacks is often deliberate, aimed at undermining the government.
“Individuals want to take advantage to make the government look weak or to show that there’s no need keeping the government,” he stated.
He referenced a recent incident involving three bomb explosions in a single day as evidence of coordinated efforts to maximise political impact.
When asked about those responsible, Musa said the instability is driven by “anybody who does not mean well for the country,” noting that such actors exist both within and outside Nigeria.
Despite the challenges—including the difficulty of regulating materials like urea fertiliser, which can be used in explosives while remaining vital for agriculture—the Defence Minister assured that the military remains committed to tackling insecurity and preventing its exploitation during political cycles.