The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has stated that Nigeria recorded the least number of attacks within the country in 2024, even as he stated that the federal government is improving the border system.
He stated this on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme on Friday while speaking on the latest global terrorism index which placed Nigeria in the sixth position, adding that there has been significant improvement in security in the country.
“And that is why the federal government is moving up, to make sure that we have a very wonderful border management system because we have to protect our borders.
“I will not speak for West Africa; I will speak for Nigeria. In 2024, we had the least number of attacks within the country. Things are really improving. Yes, we still have isolated issues. But, I can tell you the troops are really putting in their best.
“If you move around the country, you would see that a lot of things have improved; farmers are going back to their farms, there is a lot of peace. Nigerians know that things are really improving; we need to join hands together to do more,” he stated.
According to him, Nigeria stands to lose a lot if Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso do not return to democratic rule, saying that the three West African countries have been under military rule for the past few years.
“Like I said, we have issues of poverty in West Africa, a lot of governance issues, challenges with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are taking a lot of heat, and that is because the areas are large, there is a lot of poverty within those areas, climate change is one major issue on the ground, and lack of political will is causing these issues,” Musa said.
“And those are the things trying to pour into Nigeria. Whatever effort we are making, as long as these things are there, it is going to be a challenge.
“The truth about it is that, especially for these three countries, they must get their leadership right, and then they can do a lot. And, that is why for us in Nigeria, we have a lot to lose if they do not get it right —they must have a democratic system that will be able to assist them in taking decisions that will help the country,” he added.
Musa said the federal government is making efforts to strengthen border management between Nigeria and the three countries to avert security threats.
In another development, the Nigerian Army in a statement on its X handle on Friday, said it has continued the engagement with stakeholders, farmers and herders in order to ensure a successful 2025 farming season within its Joint Operations Area.
The statement posted by its Media Information Officer Operation SAFE HAVEN, Samson Zhakom after a stakeholders’ engagement held in Mangu, Plateau state, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, said the engagement was crucial to prepare the minds of herders and farmers towards a successful farming season 2025.
He described the theme of the engagement which is “Consolidating on the Security Gains for a Peaceful Farming Season” as a catalyst for peace and prosperity in communities.
Oyinlola reiterated the commitment of 3 Division and OPSH to continue exploring robust non-kinetic strategies towards fostering peaceful coexistence in communities. The commander added that the people of Mangu and Pankshin LGAs must agree to live together irrespective of religion and ethnic background, to achieve stability and economic prosperity.
The commander assured that security agencies will collaborate with communities to provide timely and effective responses to security challenges, while noting that the cooperation of stakeholders is vital towards sustaining peace as the year 2025 farming season approaches. Major General Oyinlola added that security will be provided for displaced communities to enable internally displaced persons return to farming, thereby boosting their economic growth and improving the standard of living.
Stakeholders who spoke during the engagement, including the Mishkaham Mwaghavul, Ngolong Ngas, Director-General Plateau Peace Building Agency, and chairmen of Mangu and Pankshin LGAs, emphasised the need for farmers and herders to tolerate one another to achieve a successful farming season. The stakeholders advised that past agreements on farming season should be revisited, serving as guidance to the activities of both herders and farmers during the important farming season. While decrying the deep-seated mutual suspicion that exists among different ethnic groups in the LGAs when crimes are committed, the stakeholders agreed that trust must be built by allowing peace to reign.
The Governor of Plateau state, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, represented by a former Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Titus Alams, remarked that government has made Plateau comfortable for people to come in and do businesses. He enjoined the people to support government efforts at finding a common ground for farmers and herders to operate.
Present at the event were top government officials, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, women leaders, and youth representatives.