…Defence Chief blames economic hardship for unending terrorism, banditry
…Tinubu Gov’t fighting insecurity with agriculture, not just arms — Ribadu
…Nigeria’s security must prioritise human lives, not just weapons — Badaru
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has warned that deepening poverty, hunger, and porous borders now constitute major security risks, calling for urgent and coordinated national response.
Speaking through Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma at the 14th National Security Seminar in Abuja, organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College (NDC), Gen. Musa stated that insecurity today extends beyond armed conflict to include economic hardship and social disintegration.
“Hunger and poverty are no longer just social issues; they have escalated into serious national security threats,” he said.
He pointed to Benue State, formerly known as Nigeria’s food basket, as a stark example of how insecurity disrupts agriculture, drives up food prices, displaces communities, and fuels national instability.
“The destruction of farming communities and illegal land occupation have contributed to displacement and rising inflation. We must reposition farming as a vital and honourable national duty, not a last resort,” he remarked.
General Musa backed President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the push for local government financial independence, which he described as crucial for effective, community-led development. He encouraged citizens to support intelligence sharing, vigilance, and early reporting to help deny terrorists safe havens.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Major General Peter Mala, linked poverty and unemployment directly to the rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and organised crime.
“Poverty drives insecurity, and insecurity entrenches poverty. Breaking this cycle is the key to sustainable peace,” Ribadu said, noting that the government is implementing reforms in agriculture, security capacity, and social protection to address these challenges.
Ribadu added that ONSA is working with military, intelligence, and civil institutions to execute both armed and non-armed security strategies to restore stability.
Defence Minister Alhaji Muhammad Badaru called for a “whole-of-society” approach to security, stressing that military solutions alone cannot resolve challenges rooted in economic deprivation.
“Security threats today cut across national borders. We must unite to tackle hunger, poverty, and social unrest,” he said, while commending the Armed Forces for their service and innovation.
President of AANDEC, Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, emphasised that Nigeria’s long-term security rests on how it treats its most vulnerable.
“When millions are hungry and poor, they are more easily radicalised. The children you fail to train today will become tomorrow’s threat,” he cautioned.
He proposed establishing a national vocational and leadership training centre for widows and children of fallen soldiers as part of a strategy to honour their sacrifices and promote national resilience.
In a related interview with Arise News, General Musa identified the Nigeria–Niger Republic border as the country’s most exposed entry point for terrorists and called for a modern fencing initiative.
“That border is the primary route for Boko Haram and ISWAP operatives. We must begin there,” he said, advocating for surveillance drones and cameras to bolster border security.
“People argue fencing is expensive. I ask them, what is the cost of life?” he added.