The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a stern warning to Nigerians and others who provide support to terrorists, bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements, urging them to desist immediately as the Federal Government empowers security agencies to act decisively against such threats.
He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2026 Golf Tournament held at the TYB Golf Resort and Country Club within Yar’Adua Barracks, Abuja.
General Musa emphasised that supporting criminal networks carries severe consequences, saying: “Those who are still supporting bandits, criminals, insurgents and terrorists should stop forthwith. As the saying goes, the friend of a thief is a thief.
If we get to the battlefield and you are among them, whatever happens to them happens to you.” He appealed to law‑abiding citizens to provide timely information to security agencies to enhance efforts to restore peace and stability across the country.
The defence minister described the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day as an occasion not only to honour fallen heroes but also to recognise serving personnel and their families for their sacrifices to national security.
He underscored the importance of collective efforts, urging Nigerians to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies in their operations against threats to peace.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the Armed Forces a clear mandate to restore peace and security throughout Nigeria.
He called on citizens to “report suspicious activities to security agencies promptly,” emphasising that “security is everybody’s business” and noting that timely intelligence can help prevent attacks and save lives.
The warnings and appeals come amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to confront diverse security challenges across the country, including terrorism, banditry and insurgency, which have continued to affect communities in various regions.
Combined with recent directives from national leadership to strengthen military capacity and collaboration with security agencies, the ministry’s message signals an intensified national focus on rooting out criminal networks and their collaborators.
Observers note that public cooperation and information sharing are critical components of Nigeria’s broader security strategy, particularly as authorities work to disrupt financing networks and external support structures that sustain violent groups.
The government maintains that comprehensive engagement with citizens, lawmakers and civil society is essential to achieving lasting peace and reducing the impact of insecurity on communities.
The minister’s statement reinforces a government stance that combating insecurity requires both robust security operations and proactive civic participation, as strategic partnerships between security agencies and the public are positioned as central to national stability efforts.
