Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has firmly rejected allegations of corruption and systemic failure within the country’s military, insisting that the armed forces are making significant gains in the fight against terrorism despite ongoing attacks.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday evening, Musa described the nation’s security situation as having reached a “turning point,” stressing that insurgents’ actions should not be mistaken for strength.
“We’re winning. Definitely, we’re winning,” he said. “The enemy will always want to show that they’re still very potent… but I tell you, we’re winning.”
The Defence Minister explained that the nature of asymmetric warfare allows insurgents to strike selectively, often targeting vulnerable communities to create fear and exaggerate their reach.
“The attacker has the advantage; he selects the time, the place, and the area,” Musa noted. “They look for soft spots and strike, and when they succeed once, it is amplified so much that everybody thinks they’re everywhere.”
He likened public perception of the conflict to football, where isolated failures overshadow consistent defensive successes.
“It’s like playing football, nobody remembers the saves, just that one goal,” he said.
Addressing recent deadly attacks that claimed the lives of senior military officers, Musa described the incidents as “very unfortunate,” attributing them to insider collaboration and intelligence leaks.
“These were deliberate attacks,” he said. “The same individuals people see as civilians are the ones giving them information… so they come in overwhelming numbers.”
He emphasized that internal collaboration remains one of the biggest challenges in combating insurgency, noting that many fighters are ideologically motivated and sometimes operate under the influence of drugs.
“The worst enemy you can fight is one from within,” he added.
Musa also dismissed claims that corruption, poor maintenance, or procurement failures are undermining military operations.
“Not at all… issues of corruption, no way,” he said. “We are doing the best we can with what we have.”
However, he acknowledged the military faces resource constraints due to dependence on foreign equipment and foreign exchange.
“Everything we buy is in dollars, and we don’t produce most of what we need,” he explained.
On the controversial airstrike in Jilly, Musa defended the operation, stating it was based on credible intelligence targeting individuals linked to terrorist logistics.
“It was correct intelligence. We got them at the right time, and we hit them,” he said, adding that the area served as a hub for supplies such as food, fuel, and materials for improvised explosive devices.
He maintained that those who knowingly assist insurgents should be considered part of the threat.
“He who supports terrorists is one of them,” Musa stated.
Despite concerns over civilian casualties, the minister said the military has mechanisms to investigate incidents and provide compensation where necessary.
“If it’s a mistake, we investigate, we meet the communities, and we pay compensation,” he said.
Musa also called on Nigerians to support the armed forces, warning that negative narratives could affect troop morale.
“If your troops are not there, who will protect you?” he asked.
He expressed surprise at a recent United States travel advisory highlighting security risks in Nigeria, suggesting it may not reflect the reality on the ground.
“I was shocked… Nigeria is not that bad,” he said.
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a serious issue, Musa insisted that progress is being made.
“No country in the world is free from crime,” he said. “But we are doing our best, and we will continue to win.”
