By Monsurat Abisoye
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has attributed the persistence of terrorism, banditry and insurgency in Nigeria to the support criminal groups receive from sponsors and some members of the public.
Speaking on Friday at the 2026 edition of The Platform Nigeria, an annual Democracy Day discourse hosted by the Founder of The Covenant Nation, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Musa said terrorists and bandits depend heavily on local collaborators for food, intelligence, logistics and funding.
Addressing the theme, “Governance, Democracy and National Security,” the minister stressed that lasting success in the fight against insecurity would require citizens to expose and reject individuals aiding criminal elements.
According to him, security challenges cannot be resolved by government efforts alone, as terrorists often operate within communities with the assistance of those who provide essential support. He described such assistance as the “oxygen” that sustains criminal activities, questioning who supplies information, resources and financial backing to these groups.
Musa noted that unlike traditional warfare between nations, modern security threats are more complex because the perpetrators often live among the people they target. He warned that enemies within communities pose a greater challenge to security agencies than conventional external threats.
The minister maintained that the armed forces and other security institutions would continue to face difficulties unless citizens actively cooperate by providing credible information and supporting security operations.
He also called for national unity, warning that terrorists and other criminal groups exploit existing divisions within society to advance their activities and weaken collective resistance.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Bukola Saraki emphasised the importance of an independent legislature in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
Saraki argued that the National Assembly must exercise its oversight responsibilities effectively rather than merely endorsing executive proposals without scrutiny. According to him, a legislature that cannot challenge or question government decisions fails to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
He further stated that legislative independence should not be viewed as opposition to the executive arm of government but as a necessary safeguard for transparency and democratic legitimacy. Saraki maintained that governments derive greater credibility when their policies and decisions are subjected to proper legislative examination.
The two leaders made the remarks while reflecting on the relationship between governance, democratic institutions and national security during the Democracy Day event.
