National security personnel are not adversaries of the government, says Minister of Defence

Gen. Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defence, has emphasized that Nigeria's security forces are not adversaries of the state, and has urged citizens to lend their support and cooperation to the government's efforts to combat insecurity.

n

On the June 12, 2026, edition of The Platform in Lagos, Musa stressed that every individual in the country, including security personnel, is affected by the prevalent violence and instability.

n

Musa appealed for public backing of the military and other agencies, deeming it crucial for enhancing security across the nation.

n

According to Musa, the security forces are not enemies of the state, but rather victims, a fact he emphasized during his speech.

n

As a former commander who led Operation Hadin Kai for 19 months, Musa recounted the difficulties of meeting with families of fallen soldiers and witnessing the devastating impact of Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, on personnel.

n

Musa made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians, stating that as long as security personnel are making sacrifices, citizens have a responsibility to protect and honour them, providing them with the necessary support to carry out their duties.

n

Musa framed the fight against insecurity as a collective responsibility, emphasizing that cooperation between citizens and security institutions is vital to sustaining operations and safeguarding communities.