Why it’s difficult for military to fight bandits, terrorists – Defense Minister Musa

The Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has explained why it is difficult for the Armed Forces to fight bandits and terrorists in the country

Speaking on Thursday at the Arise Television’s Town Hall on State Police, General Musa stated that the terrorists live within the communities.

According to him, if the communities are on the side of the insurgents, it makes it difficult for security forces to win the battle and if the communities are with the security forces, it makes it a lot easier.

“We’re in a democratic setting, and it’s about perception, and it is between the leaders and the led. Now, the led, are they feeling being led properly? Why are they not supporting the armed forces, or why are they not supporting the government?

“So, these are areas that we need to look at. When we work together between the armed forces and the communities and the government, then we’ll have a headway, and that’s why it is critical for us to keep on explaining and interacting with the communities, for them to have a better understanding that they have a role to play just as the government has a role to play.

“For us to succeed, our local governments must be up and doing, our communities must be up and doing, and we must give opportunities for traditional rulers, for religious leaders, for local governments to also contribute to the success and the security wherever they are, whatever community they operate in,” he said.