The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has attributed the persistence of insecurity in Nigeria to the support criminal groups receive from individuals within local communities.
Musa stated this during activities marking the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, stressing that bandits, terrorists and insurgents depend heavily on local networks for survival.
According to him, armed groups continue to evade security operations because they receive food supplies, intelligence and other forms of assistance from people living in areas where they operate.
He explained that the challenge of insecurity cannot be solved through military operations alone, insisting that communities must play a more active role in denying criminals the support that sustains their activities.
“Bandits, insurgents and terrorists survive around the people. The food they get and the information they receive are the oxygen that keep them going,” he said.
The Defence Chief noted that cutting off these support networks would significantly weaken criminal groups and enhance the effectiveness of ongoing military operations across the country.
Musa also urged Nigerians to see security personnel as partners rather than adversaries in the fight against insecurity.
According to him, members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies are equally affected by the consequences of insecurity and continue to make enormous sacrifices in defence of the nation.
He called for increased cooperation between citizens and security agencies through timely intelligence sharing and community vigilance.
The Defence Chief expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between local communities and security forces would help dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace across affected regions.
His remarks come amid renewed efforts by the military and other security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes in various parts of the country.