ABUJA — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has linked recent attacks on military personnel and civilian communities in Nigeria to the growing influence of terrorists and jihadist groups operating from the Sahel region.
In a televised interview aired Friday on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gen. Musa said Nigeria is increasingly being targeted by global terror networks exploiting the country’s porous northern borders to push their agenda southward.
“We are seeing a global push from terrorists and jihadists coming down from the Sahel,” he said. “These are not just local issues anymore; they are transnational threats that require coordinated responses.”
The Defence Chief said the uptick in violence across various regions is no longer solely the work of domestic insurgents but also includes foreign extremist elements taking advantage of regional instability.
He assured the public that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Armed Forces to restore peace and stability nationwide, stating, “We have been tasked by Mr. President to ensure peace returns to every part of the country. That is our mission, and we are fully committed to it.”
Gen. Musa also addressed growing public anxiety fueled by graphic videos circulating online, warning that many of the clips are either doctored or sourced from other countries. He urged Nigerians to verify content before sharing it.
“Most of the trending videos being circulated are not even from Nigeria. They are fake, and they only serve to cause panic and undermine national security,” he said.
The CDS called for unity, public support for security agencies, and responsible use of social media, emphasizing that misinformation hampers efforts to stabilize affected regions and emboldens hostile actors.
He reiterated the military’s resolve to combat the threats and restore normalcy, stating that operations are being intensified to counter both domestic and foreign insurgents.
