Defence Minister Blames Political Season for Surge in Terror Attacks

By Editor Drealomalicha Emmanuella

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has raised fresh concerns over the recent surge in violent attacks across parts of the country, attributing the trend to a mix of extremist ideology, insider intelligence leaks, and the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Speaking on the situation, General Musa explained that some of the attackers are driven by deeply entrenched beliefs that glorify violence and martyrdom. According to him, such ideologies embolden individuals to carry out deadly assaults with little regard for their own lives.

“Ideologically, they believe that if they die, they will go to heaven. They think that by killing others, they will be rewarded,” he said, reflecting on the loss of personnel in what he described as carefully orchestrated attacks. “We have lost very dedicated officers because these assaults were deliberate.”

The Defence Minister also pointed to the troubling role of informants within local communities, alleging that some civilians provide critical intelligence to armed groups. He noted that such information often includes troop numbers and deployment details, giving attackers a tactical advantage.

“Some individuals are telling them exactly how many soldiers are stationed in a location. They may say there are only 20 troops, and then over 200 attackers descend on them,” he revealed.

General Musa further disclosed that a significant number of casualties are caused not during direct confrontations, but by roadside bombs and other explosive devices. He cited the death of a commanding officer as one such tragic example, emphasising the growing threat posed by IEDs.

“Many of the losses we record are due to IEDs. In some cases, it is not even during an active attack,” he said.

He linked the proliferation of these explosives to the misuse of urea fertiliser, a key component in bomb-making, noting that authorities have imposed restrictions on its use in parts of the North-East to curb the threat.

The Minister also suggested a pattern in the timing of attacks, observing that violence tends to escalate during politically sensitive periods.

“Whenever it is a political year, the attacks increase. The aim is often to undermine the government and create an impression of weakness,” he said.

General Musa concluded by warning that those behind the violence include both domestic collaborators and external actors who, he said, do not have Nigeria’s best interests at heart.