Insecurity: Military, NFIU strangling terrorists’ funding network- Defence Minister Gen Musa

Defence Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, in conjunction with intelligence and other security agencies in the country, have significantly weakened the funding networks of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Terrorists

Gen Musa said the development had degraded the capacity of major terrorist groups to carry out the large-scale attacks that previously characterised the insurgency, forcing the groups to rely increasingly on abductions, kidnappings and other criminal activities to raise funds.

The minister spoke in Abuja during a live interview in which he addressed Nigeria’s territorial defence, counter-terrorism financing, border security, political stability and the welfare of military personnel and veterans.

He pointed out that sustained offensive operations by the military deep inside insurgent enclaves had broken the operational momentum of the major terrorist networks.

According to him, “ Now, we don’t have those brazen attacks that used to be,

“Before now, Boko Haram would go to places, attack areas, and go. You don’t hear of that anymore. The trajectory has moved from insurgency back downwards toward terrorism, abductions, and kidnapping because that is the easiest way for desperate networks to try and raise money.”

The minister said the recent increase in security incidents across parts of the country followed a pattern that had historically been observed ahead of major political cycles.

He said with political campaigns for the forthcoming elections expected to commence in January, there were concerns that some of the incidents could be exploited by political actors to create negative sentiments against the government.

Gen Musa, however, assured Nigerians that security agencies were taking measures to contain the situation and ensure that political activities and campaigns were conducted without hindrance.

A major component of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, he said, was the disruption of the financial and logistical networks sustaining terrorist operations.

He explained that the military was working closely with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to track and intercept illicit funding channels used by terrorist networks, including proxy bank accounts, social media crowdfunding platforms and cryptocurrency.

According to him, Nigeria was also deploying advanced international counter-terrorism financing mechanisms following a high-level engagement with the United States State Department.

The measures, he said, were designed to identify and isolate foreign influences, including links between ISIS and its local affiliates.

Gen Musa warned Nigerians who provide logistical support to terrorists that their actions were helping to prolong the conflict.

He specifically identified the supply of fuel, food and water to terrorist cells as part of the support network being targeted by security agencies.

The minister said the government was also strengthening surveillance along the country’s borders, particularly the historically porous boundaries that have facilitated the movement of terrorists, weapons and other criminal elements.

He said the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service had activated specialised border-control hubs equipped with real-time cameras and supported by continuous drone surveillance.

The Minister cited that the approximately 1,500-kilometre border between Nigeria and Niger as one of the areas requiring enhanced surveillance.

Beyond technology, he said the military had expanded its operational footprint from eight to 12 active divisions, with four additional divisions created to strengthen localised security monitoring and response.

He said the expansion was being complemented by increased recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the creation of a new Homeland Adviser position to strengthen coordination of domestic intelligence.

On the recent foiled plot allegedly involving individuals seeking to disrupt Nigeria’s democratic process, Gen Musa Musa said investigations by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were ongoing.

He said the investigation was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the plot and identifying those involved.

According to him, the development had also exposed the need for stronger vetting procedures within the military and other sensitive government institutions.

Gen Musa said the military had consequently institutionalised stricter vetting protocols to assess the backgrounds, mental capacity and allegiance of recruits and personnel assigned to sensitive positions, including those deployed to the Presidency.

He said the measures followed the alleged involvement of a colonel who misled younger officers into the plot.

While addressing concerns about the continued existence of terrorist cells despite sustained military operations, the minister said the government was also confronting the ideological foundations of terrorism.

He said increased military pressure was forcing many low-level fighters to surrender after realising that they had been deceived into joining the terrorist groups.

Gen Musa said military operations had also resulted in the rescue of more than 700 abducted persons from captivity.

He said the military would maintain the pressure on terrorist groups until their ability to operate and recruit was substantially dismantled.

On the welfare of serving personnel and veterans, Musa said President Bola Tinubu had approved an upward review of salaries and pensions for serving military personnel and retired members of the Armed Forces.

The minister, who described himself as a military pensioner, also addressed concerns over delays in the payment of veterans’ pensions.

He said presidential directives had resolved the issue, with the next harmonised pension payments scheduled for the end of September 2026.

Musa urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for national security by promptly reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

He said effective public cooperation with security agencies remained critical to defeating terrorism and other forms of criminality.

“The armed forces are stable, inter-agency service rivalries have completely gone, and we are working assiduously as a unified unit to guarantee total tactical superiority,” the minister said.