Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Christopher Musa, has declared that terrorists and bandits would not survive without the help they receive from within local communities. He made this known at the launch of the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative and North Central Peace Summit held in Jos, Plateau State.
Speaking at the event, which was organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Gen Musa emphasised the crucial role of public cooperation in ending insecurity.
“It’s critical for Nigerians to take ownership of the armed forces, to understand that we need your support,” he said. “We cannot do without this support, because the criminals, the terrorists, the insurgents are all living within the communities.”
According to him, the effectiveness of criminal groups often hinges on the assistance they receive from ordinary people.
“If the communities today said they will not support these criminals, they will not survive,” the Defence Chief insisted.
He urged residents to provide actionable intelligence to security agencies, noting that without such collaboration, efforts to combat crime would be undermined.
“A few days ago, I asked: how are they getting their fuel? How are they getting their food? It is from the communities that they are getting all these,” he added. “The challenges we are facing as military men is that we have members of the public that are also supporting them, giving them information, providing them with their food, providing fuel and that allows them to continue what they are doing.”
While acknowledging that the military may sometimes fall short, Gen Musa stressed that accountability remained a top priority.
“We may make mistakes somewhere, but it can never be deliberate. And if any of our men do something they are not supposed to do, please report to us, we will take action,” he assured.
Beyond community involvement, the CDS called for stronger border security measures to prevent illegal migration and transnational crime. He recommended fencing Nigeria’s borders to help tackle these threats more effectively.
On the political front, Gen Musa urged elected officials to offer clear guidance and policy direction for the military to implement.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Euphraim Usman, echoed the need to empower communities in peacebuilding. He highlighted that mistrust and social fragmentation were threatening national unity.
“We must begin to build bridges of trust between citizens,” Usman said. “The peace we seek must begin from the grassroots.”
Senator Simon Lalong, representing Plateau South, stressed the importance of local government autonomy. He argued that unless councils are allowed to function independently, they will remain ineffective in responding to security challenges.
Dr Abiodun Essiet, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), noted that the summit was part of a broader effort to address regional insecurity. She encouraged Nigerians to embrace diversity as a strength in building a peaceful and united country.
“Diversity should be seen as a tool for national development,” she said. “Peace is everyone’s responsibility.”
