Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has called on state and local governments to cease all negotiations and deals with bandits and terrorists, warning that such engagements undermine national security and embolden criminal groups.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa stressed that bandits and terrorists do not negotiate in good faith, using dialogue only to regroup and launch further attacks. “They never keep their word; they lie. Negotiation is deception,” he said, citing repeated warnings issued by the federal government to states that attempt to engage these criminal elements.

The Defence Minister also denounced ransom payments, saying they worsen the problem and encourage more kidnappings. He urged citizens to report kidnappings to security agencies rather than paying for the release of victims. Musa emphasized that the federal government does not pay ransom, and active military operations often recover abducted persons without financial transactions.

Addressing the challenges posed by Nigeria’s vast geography, Musa noted that bandits exploit areas with low security presence. He called for citizens to assist security forces by reporting suspicious activities and for state governments to invest in social and economic development—schools, hospitals, and job creation—to reduce recruitment into criminal groups.

Musa dismissed claims that officials collaborate with criminals as unpatriotic, reaffirming the armed forces’ commitment to restoring peace. “Nigeria is going through a very difficult time, but God is with us, and we will succeed,” he stated. He stressed that the fight against insecurity requires a combination of technology, citizen cooperation, and sustained government action.