Foreign Funding, Politics Fueling Terrorism Ahead of 2027 – Defence Chief

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warned that a mix of foreign cash inflows, local support networks and political scheming ahead of the 2027 general elections are driving the recent spike in insecurity across the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Musa linked the resurgence of terror attacks in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and mass killings in Benue and Plateau to both external and internal sabotage. He noted that the murder of at least 34 worshippers in a Katsina mosque on Monday typified the growing threat.

According to him, politicians desperate to discredit government are deliberately fanning violence. “Last year, we recorded the lowest number of deaths. Suddenly this year, killings have spiked. Politics is coming, elections are coming. Some people are clearly manipulating these criminals to ensure there is no peace. But the question remains, how do you kill the people you claim you want to govern?” Musa asked.

The Defence Chief also highlighted the role of terror financing. He disclosed that the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Department of State Services, and the National Intelligence Agency were already tracking financiers, though legal bottlenecks had slowed public naming. “Some funds come from abroad. Arrests have been made, prosecutions have started. Those behind the Owo bombing are already facing trial” he said.

Musa lamented that Nigeria’s legal framework frustrates terrorism cases, urging stiffer laws, faster trials, and the creation of special courts. He noted that weak punishments and delayed prosecutions encourage impunity. “In the South-South, for instance, seized vessels often return after token fines. That is why we had to bomb them despite environmental concerns. It brought more peace than leaving loopholes” he explained.

The Defence Chief further warned that instability in the Sahel, coupled with Nigeria’s porous 4,000-kilometre border, remains a major security risk. He described open arms markets in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso as sources of illegal weapons flowing into the country. “Since Libya fell, the Sahel has been open. Nigerians welcome strangers too easily, but not all mean well. Boko Haram started that way. We must never allow foreigners to take an inch of our land” he cautioned.

Musa acknowledged that the fight against insurgency is hindered by inadequate technology and high costs of modern warfare. He revealed that a medium-range precision weapon costs about $100,000, making acquisitions difficult, especially with global shortages caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. “Two weeks ago, we eliminated over 100 terrorists on 50 motorcycles in a successful drone strike. But to sustain such precision, we need real-time satellite systems. These are extremely expensive, which criminals exploit” he said.

He expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Defence Industrial Bill would pave the way for local production of critical military hardware, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Musa concluded by urging Nigerians to stop shielding terrorists. “These criminals thrive because locals give them shelter, funds, and logistics. If we deny them space, they will collapse. Security is everyone’s responsibility” he said.