Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has warned citizens against providing any form of help or support to bandits operating in the country.
The CDS stated that those providing any form of help or assistance to the bandits, either directly or indirectly, are also terrorists and enemies of the state.
He warned that those supplying bandits with fuel, food, or other resources are equally culpable.
Naija News reports General Musa, who made the declaration on Tuesday during an interactive session on government-citizen engagement organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna, vowed that the military would always secure the north and the entire country.
“If we find out that you are part of the criminal network by supplying them, you are also a bandit, you are also a terrorist,” Musa said.
The CDS warned that the military would deal squarely with those plotting the downfall of Nigeria and ensure peace prevails in troubled areas.
“Anyone who is contributing one way or the other to the downfall of our country is an enemy of the state, and we must face him squarely and defeat him.
“We will never let the north down. We will never let Nigeria down. We are ready for whatever it takes to succeed.
“We’re committed; we will stay awake 24/7 to ensure that the north is free, Nigeria is secure, and any enemy of the state will be pursued relentlessly until total peace and tranquillity are restored,” Musa said.
The CDS also called for the citizens and local communities to cooperate with the military in its security operations, assuring that the military is out to deal with the insurgents and criminals.
“If the people are not happy with what we are doing, then we are not succeeding. Commanders must ensure they carry the community along and protect them. Our operations are not aimed at harming innocent people but targeting the bad guys.
“The terrorists and bandits live among us. If we continue to provide them with services, they will continue to thrive. But if we deny them, they will fizzle out,” he said.
Musa disclosed that in the past two years, the armed forces have killed over 3,000 terrorists and bandits, secured the surrender of more than 120,000 insurgents, and rescued upwards of 2,000 kidnapped victims, while over 2,300 arms and 72,000 rounds of ammunition have been recovered across northern theatres of operation.
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