Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, has firmly declared that the Federal Government will no longer negotiate with terrorists or agree to pay ransom for any kidnapped victims, stressing that such practices only worsen the country’s security problems.
He also emphasized the urgent need for a unified and central national database, describing it as a critical tool needed to strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence gathering, identity management, and overall response to rising insecurity across the nation.
Government Must Ban Ransom Payments
Speaking during his ministerial screening by the Senate in Abuja, Gen. Musa warned in strong terms that paying ransom to kidnappers and terrorists only emboldens them and encourages further attacks on innocent citizens.
“There is no negotiation with any criminal. When people pay ransoms, it buys terrorists time to regroup, re-arm, and plan new attacks. Communities that negotiated still got attacked later,” he said, adding that giving in to such demands does not guarantee safety for victims.
He further explained that Nigeria’s banking system has the capacity to track financial transactions used by criminal networks if fully integrated with law enforcement and surveillance agencies.
Military Efforts Alone Are Not Enough
The retired general stressed that military operations alone account for just 25–30 percent of the overall counter-insurgency strategy, noting that insecurity cannot be solved by force alone.
He pointed to widespread poverty, illiteracy, ineffective leadership, and weak local government systems as factors pushing many young people into crime and banditry.
Gen. Musa urged state and local governments to step up their responsibilities by improving intelligence-sharing at the grassroot level, insisting that security agencies cannot win the fight without cooperation from local communities.
Legal Reforms Urgently Needed
Gen. Musa also criticized the slow pace of the justice system, stating that delayed terrorism and kidnapping trials weaken the morale of security personnel who risk their lives to make arrests.
He called for the establishment of special terrorism courts, tougher punishments for offenders, and a faster judicial process to ensure that criminals are swiftly brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Senate revealed plans to amend the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, proposing the death penalty for kidnappers and for anyone found to be funding, supporting, or assisting terrorist activities in any form.
Rising Maritime and Environmental Threats
The Defence Minister raised alarm over the renewed rise in maritime crimes, including piracy, sea robbery, and the kidnapping of seafarers along the Akwa Ibom–Cameroon corridor.
He confirmed that Operation Delta Safe has now been expanded to include several areas that were previously considered calm but are now under threat from criminal infiltration.
Gen. Musa also called for a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, describing it as one of the major sources of revenue for armed groups operating within forest regions and remote communities across the country.