Without a National Database, Identifying Criminals Is Difficult — Defence Minister, Christopher Musa

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said the country’s battle against terrorism cannot be won through military action alone, insisting that lasting peace will only be achieved through a collective effort involving the government, security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities.

Speaking during a public forum on Arise News, Musa explained that the Armed Forces operate under strict rules of engagement, which guide when troops are permitted to use lethal force.

According to him, soldiers are authorised to open fire only when their own lives, the lives of fellow personnel, or the people and property they are protecting are under immediate threat.

“As professionals, we train our troops before deploying them, and once they are deployed, they are able to identify who is a bandit, who is a terrorist and who is a civilian,” he said.

The Defence Minister described Nigeria’s security crisis as an example of asymmetric warfare, where insurgents deliberately blend into civilian populations, making military operations significantly more complex than conventional battles.

“The enemy is within. It could be the person you think is your citizen, your brother or your uncle. That is what makes it extremely difficult,” Musa said.

Drawing lessons from international experience, he pointed to Turkey’s decades-long conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), noting that the insurgency has persisted for more than 40 years. He said the example illustrates that defeating terrorism is often a long-term process rather than a quick military victory.

Musa argued that the use of force represents only a small part of the overall solution, stressing that peace cannot be achieved through weapons alone.

“No country can shoot itself to peace. The kinetic aspect is about 25 to 30 per cent. The non-kinetic approach—dialogue, understanding and working with communities—is the larger part,” he said.

He called for closer collaboration between traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government authorities and residents, describing community participation as essential to identifying threats and preventing the spread of violent extremism.

The Defence Minister also urged the government to address broader structural challenges, including the creation of a reliable national database, strengthening the justice system and improving governance.

According to him, citizens are more willing to support security operations when they feel included in the nation’s progress and have confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting them.