The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has said the Federal Government has repeatedly cautioned state and local governments against entering negotiations or making deals with terrorists and bandits, warning that such arrangements weaken national security operations and encourage criminal networks to expand.
Musa stated this during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he dismissed dialogue, ransom payments and peace deals with armed groups as counterproductive, describing them as traps often used by criminals to regroup and strike again.
According to the Defence Minister, armed groups operating across Nigeria are not interested in genuine peace talks, but rather see negotiation as a tactical advantage.
“These people do not understand negotiation. Negotiation is deception,” Musa said, noting that agreements reached with them are rarely honoured.
He pointed to previous cases where discussions with bandits reportedly collapsed shortly after they were initiated, citing developments in parts of Katsina State as an example. Musa said the Federal Government had earlier advised against such engagements, but some communities still went ahead.
He warned that continued negotiations at sub-national levels create confusion and weaken the efforts of the military and other security agencies.
“We have sent messages and held discussions, clearly stating that this undermines our work,” he said, adding that allowing negotiations to thrive could open the door for criminal groups to operate under the excuse of being “in talks” while violence persists.
Musa said the Federal Government has reached out to states and communities believed to be involved in negotiations, urging them to halt the practice. However, he acknowledged that in a democratic setting, security forces cannot impose directives on civil authorities the same way they would in a military structure.
Still, the Defence Minister expressed confidence that the states would comply.
“We have spoken to them, and they will stop. I am confident they will stop,” he said, dismissing claims that state authorities could be acting beyond federal influence.
On ransom payments, Musa described the practice as dangerous and capable of worsening the kidnapping crisis by making abductions financially attractive.
“Ransom payment is completely wrong,” he said. “If people believe that kidnappings automatically lead to ransom payments, it will not end well.”
He urged citizens to report kidnapping incidents immediately to security agencies instead of paying money to secure the release of victims.
Musa also rejected insinuations that the Federal Government quietly pays ransom behind the scenes, insisting that the government does not fund kidnappers. He maintained that while private individuals may sometimes pay out of desperation, such actions do not represent federal policy.
“As far as the federal government is concerned, we do not pay ransom,” he said.
The Defence Minister further dismissed rumours surrounding the abduction of children in Niger State, where speculation suggested that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, held talks with kidnappers or facilitated payments. Musa described the claims as unfounded, saying military tracking and rescue operations often explain the urgency seen during such incidents.
He said in many cases, victims are recovered without any financial settlement, as kidnappers abandon them when they sense pressure from security forces.
On the continued activities of bandits in several parts of the country, Musa said the challenge is linked to Nigeria’s size and the ability of armed groups to shift operations to poorly-secured areas.
“They move away from areas where troops are present and operate where there is little or no security presence,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to support the fight against insecurity by reporting suspicious movements, noting that public cooperation remains a critical tool for disrupting criminal operations.
Musa also urged state governments to go beyond security deployment by addressing the social and economic conditions that make recruitment into armed groups easier. He called for stronger investment in education, job creation, and basic healthcare services.
According to him, hunger and poverty remain key drivers of insecurity, as more people are drawn into criminal networks due to hardship.
“When there is hunger and poverty, more people are drawn to them,” he said.
Responding to allegations that some officials collaborate with criminals, Musa dismissed such claims, insisting the armed forces remain committed to restoring peace and stability nationwide.
He acknowledged that the country is going through a difficult period but assured Nigerians that security agencies are determined to succeed.
“Nigeria is going through a very difficult time,” he said.
Musa added that no country has enough security personnel to solve such challenges purely through manpower, stressing the need for technology, intelligence and strong citizen support.