Defense Minister Attributes Terrorism Surge to Political Aims of Weakening Nigeria
Defense Minister Christopher Musa has asserted that the recent increase in terrorist attacks in Nigeria's North-East region could be politically motivated, with certain actors seeking to undermine the government by portraying it as ineffective. During an interview on Arise TV, Musa highlighted that such violence often escalates during election cycles and may involve both domestic and international collaborators.
Political Timing and External Influences
Musa emphasized, "Any time it's a political year, it goes up. Individuals want to take advantage to make the government look weak or to show that they are still capable." He questioned the rationale behind such tactics, asking, "You don't have to kill the people you want to govern. Why increase violence just to score cheap political points?" The minister maintained that Nigeria is making consistent progress in addressing insecurity and called on citizens to back ongoing military operations and governmental initiatives.
Exaggerated Impact and Complex Adversaries
According to Musa, terrorist groups frequently amplify isolated incidents to create an illusion of widespread control, aiming to instill fear among the populace. He described the conflict as complex, involving a "determined enemy" driven by ideological beliefs and supported externally. "The worst enemy is one from within—someone with nothing to lose. For them, it is ideological; they believe dying brings rewards, so they take extreme risks," he added, expressing sorrow over recent military casualties.
Controversy Over Jilli Market Airstrike
Addressing the recent airstrike at Jilli Market in Borno State, where over 100 people were reportedly killed, Musa defended the military action by stating the area had long been designated a restricted zone due to its use by terrorists as a logistics hub. He claimed it served as a supply point for materials used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as food and fuel. "Nobody in that area was innocent. They knew why they were there," Musa asserted, dismissing allegations that victims were civilians. He explained that economic incentives, such as inflated prices for goods like rice and fuel, had attracted individuals to engage in illegal trade with insurgents. The minister described efforts to depict those affected as innocent victims as "disturbing," noting that repeated warnings had been issued against activities in the zone.
