All Nigerians must unite to combat rising insecurity, says Defence Minister

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, has underscored the imperative of collective action to tackle Nigeria's insecurity challenge, emphasizing that it is an issue that requires a unified response from all stakeholders.

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This call to action is particularly significant in the context of border security, where Musa has stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the federal government, states, and local governments to effectively address the problem of cross-border crimes.

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In an exclusive interview on Arise TV, Musa noted that while the federal government has been providing states with increased funding, the ultimate success of security measures hinges on grassroots-level action and community engagement.

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Musa's perspective is that crime is inherently a local issue, which means that local governments must take a more proactive role in addressing it, rather than relying solely on federal or state-level interventions.

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The Minister also highlighted the importance of forging partnerships with multinational joint task forces to bolster border control and prevent the proliferation of cross-border crimes, which often involve terrorist groups seeking safe havens in neighboring countries.

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However, Musa cautioned that national security efforts will remain incomplete without functional local governments, which are essential for addressing the root causes of insecurity and implementing effective security measures at the community level.

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According to Musa, "Border security is one issue we have to look at, and for us, we need the states to partner with the federal government," emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to address the complex challenges posed by cross-border crimes.

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He further noted that the federal government is providing states with more funds than ever before, but the effectiveness of these efforts depends on the ability of local governments to take ownership of security issues and work in tandem with federal and state authorities.

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Musa's emphasis on the importance of local governments is rooted in his conviction that crime is a local issue, and that community-level engagement and action are essential for preventing and addressing security threats before they escalate into larger problems.

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In his words, "If local governments are working, they'll be able to tackle these things within their own area before it gets to the state, before it gets to the federal," highlighting the critical role that local governments play in maintaining security and preventing the spread of crime.

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Musa also underscored the need for regional cooperation and collaboration to address the transnational nature of security threats, particularly in the context of border security, where terrorist groups often seek to exploit vulnerabilities in neighboring countries.

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He explained that terrorist groups often relocate to neighboring countries when attacked, which is why it is essential to work with neighboring countries to block their borders and prevent them from finding safe havens.

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Through the multinational joint task force, Musa said that Nigeria is establishing a new system to address security threats in the region, particularly in the areas surrounding the Benin, Nigeria, and Niger borders.

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The goal of this initiative is to prevent terrorist groups from penetrating Nigeria's borders from neighboring countries, such as Burkina Faso, and to establish a more secure and stable regional environment.

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Musa described the current insecurity challenges facing Nigeria as a trying period, but emphasized that with collective action and a holistic approach, the country can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger.

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He noted that the armed forces and other security agencies cannot cover the entire length and breadth of Nigeria, which spans over 927 square kilometers, and that a more comprehensive and community-based approach is needed to address the complex security challenges facing the country.