‘Terrorists, Bandits’ Capacity Significantly Degraded’, Says Defence Minister

• Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said the operational strength of terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups has been significantly weakened, citing improved coordination and joint security operations.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said that the operational capacity of terrorist groups, bandits and other criminal elements has been significantly degraded across several theatres of operation in Nigeria.

Musa made the disclosure on Monday at the 2025 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference held at Nebo Hall, Abalti Barracks, Lagos State. He attributed the gains recorded so far to the courage and resilience of troops, improved operational planning and execution, as well as effective joint and multi-agency security operations.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s security challenges can no longer be addressed by any single service or institution acting alone. He stressed that sustained success depends on unity of effort, intelligence sharing, coordinated planning and close collaboration among security agencies.

“The reality remains that no single service, institution or individual can address today’s security challenges alone,” Musa said, adding that while operational success is important, the welfare and human dimension of military service must never be overlooked.

He described the COAS Annual Conference as a critical strategic platform for assessing the Nigerian Army’s operational posture, readiness and professionalism, especially against the backdrop of Nigeria’s complex and evolving security environment marked by terrorism, insurgency, banditry and transnational crime.

Musa noted that security remains a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring that the Ministry of Defence would continue to provide strategic direction, policy support and capability development to keep the Armed Forces professional, responsive and future-ready.

The minister also paid tribute to fallen military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation, while acknowledging wounded soldiers and their families. He described their welfare, medical care and long-term support as a “sacred obligation” that must be upheld without compromise.

Commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Musa praised his operational experience and leadership, particularly in the North-East, while urging continuous innovation and adaptation to decisively defeat enemies of the state.

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Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said there could be no enduring development without security and no security without a disciplined, professional and capable military. He commended the Nigerian Army for its ongoing restructuring, modernisation and renewed emphasis on professionalism.

Sanwo-Olu also praised the Headquarters 81 Division of the Nigerian Army for its role in maintaining peace and stability in Lagos through sustained operations, joint security initiatives and strong civil-military relations.

In his remarks, the COAS said the conference provided an invaluable platform for strategic reflection, inter-agency collaboration and strengthening civil-military cooperation. He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to transforming into a more professional, adaptive and technology-driven force capable of addressing both conventional and asymmetric threats.

Shaibu thanked President Tinubu for his sustained support for the Armed Forces, particularly in personnel welfare, equipment modernisation, training and institutional reforms, noting that such support has significantly strengthened the military’s capacity to respond to current and emerging security challenges.