Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said local informants and collaborators are a major reason terrorist and bandit networks continue to operate across parts of the country.

Speaking at the 2026 edition of The Platform Nigeria event marking Democracy Day, Musa said criminal groups rely heavily on support from within communities, including access to food, logistics, funding and intelligence.

He explained that this internal assistance makes it difficult for security forces to completely eliminate armed groups, stressing that meaningful progress depends on stronger public cooperation.

Musa noted that insecurity is sustained not only by armed actors but also by individuals who supply information and resources to them. He urged citizens to reject and expose such collaborators in order to weaken criminal networks.

According to him, modern security threats differ from conventional warfare because attackers often operate from within the same communities they target, making identification and response more complex.

He added that security agencies alone cannot end terrorism and banditry without active support from the public, warning that divisions within society are frequently exploited by criminal groups.

Also speaking at the event, former Senate President Bukola Saraki emphasised the need for an independent legislature, saying accountability and scrutiny are essential for effective governance.

Saraki argued that legislative independence should not be seen as opposition to the executive, but as a requirement for democratic legitimacy.