Anti-Terror War: Defence Minister Calls For Synergy, Says Enemies Unknown

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has called for enhanced intelligence gathering and stronger inter-agency collaboration following the recent killing of a Brigadier General and 17 soldiers by terrorists in Borno State.

Speaking during a press conference at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the minister described the current security challenge as an asymmetrical conflict where the enemy is not easily identifiable, stressing the need for improved intelligence coordination.

“If you don’t have intelligence, you are going to be blind. It’s not like the conventional one that you are seeing everybody. This one, the enemy, is not identified,” he said.

He warned that insurgents often operate within communities, making detection more difficult for security forces.

“That person that you think is your friend that is close to you might just be the person that is also blind for you,” he added.

The minister noted that while security agencies have made significant operational gains, their efforts have largely been carried out in isolation.

“We have been operating quite very well, doing extremely well, but in silos. And I think it is high time that we put this together so that whatever it is we are doing, let us work as a team,” he said.

According to him, actionable intelligence is critical in enabling troops to respond swiftly to emerging threats.

“It is actionable intelligence that can help the troops in the field to be able to react as quickly as possible,” he stated.

He revealed that President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to strengthen joint operations, emphasising that all components of the security architecture must function cohesively.

“Mr. President has directed that we must enhance our jointness. And jointness means every service is important. None is irrelevant. We are all relevant,” he said.

The Defence Minister also stressed the importance of integrating human and technical intelligence to improve operational efficiency and national security outcomes.

“A lot of issues are happening in the country. Intelligence comes in and out through technical intelligence, human intelligence. The need for us to harness all this together… will give us a better leverage,” he noted.

He explained that the meeting was convened to foster closer collaboration among intelligence units, noting that while troops already operate jointly in the field, intelligence sharing has not been fully integrated.

“The troops are working jointly in the field, but the intelligence has not really… This is the first time we are doing this here at MOD. We feel it’s a responsibility that we must adapt to what is really going on,” he said.

The minister commended the efforts and sacrifices of security personnel, acknowledging the difficult conditions under which they operate.

“It’s not an easy job… most times, you don’t even get the accolades. Instead, you get the insults… not knowing that you are doing so much,” he said.

He assured that the Ministry of Defence would continue to strengthen the capacity of security forces and improve intelligence flow to support ongoing operations.

He also urged Nigerians to play an active role in national security by providing timely and credible information to authorities.

“Nigerians… have a role to play in passing this information as quickly, as efficient as possible so that actions could be taken as quickly as possible,” he said.

Reiterating the nature of the conflict, the minister stressed that intelligence remains the most critical factor in combating terrorism.

“Asymmetrical warfare is a warfare of intelligence. If you don’t have intelligence, you are going to be blind… the enemy is not identified,” he stated.