Defence minister explains how troops rescue abductees without killing terrorists

Nigerian Defence Minister Christopher Musa says troops can free abducted victims without firing a shot by taking away the supplies that allow terrorist groups to survive.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Musa said security forces first identify the terrorists’ location and block routes out of the area. They then cut off access to food, water, fuel and other supplies. When troops apply pressure, he said, the terrorists often scatter and leave their captives behind.

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The funny thing is, the terrorists too don’t want to die.

“Sometimes if you carry out manoeuvres. The funny thing is, the terrorists too don’t want to die. I hope you know that. All this one they’re doing carrying weapons, they don’t want to die. So once there’s anything, even if it’s a drone that comes, you see them scatter away and leave everybody. That’s what happens,” Musa said.

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Once we’re able to identify where they are, we block avenues for them. Like I said, take out the oxygen, they will die.

He added that the strategy depends on preventing people from secretly supplying the groups. “Once we’re able to identify where they are, we block avenues for them. Like I said, take out the oxygen, they will die,” he said, referring to the need to stop deliveries of fuel, water and food.

Musa said ransom payments could also help trace terrorist networks, with the Central Bank of Nigeria working to track money linked to criminal activity. He also appealed to state governors to reconsider distributing motorcycles as palliatives or constituency projects. According to Musa, some of those motorcycles later reach bandits and give them the mobility to enter areas and disappear quickly. He suggested that, if motorcycles must be distributed, authorities should avoid high-capacity models.

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We try to appeal to even governors to stop giving motorcycles out as palliatives.