By Nworisa Michael
Nigeria’s lingering insecurity is largely driven by the failure of some individuals and communities to cooperate with security agencies, the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has said.
The minister made the remark on Saturday night in Abuja while speaking at the 7th OurNigeria News Awards, themed “Resilience and Renewal.”
According to Musa, Nigeria is facing a complex form of conflict that goes beyond conventional warfare, noting that criminals often live among civilians and rely on community protection to evade law enforcement.
“This is asymmetric warfare. It is not like fighting another country. The enemy is within, and that makes it more dangerous,” the minister said.
He explained that bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements often disguise themselves as ordinary citizens, making intelligence gathering and timely reporting crucial to security operations.
“You may not recognise them easily. It could be someone you trust. That is why people must not give criminals any form of safe haven,” he added.
Musa urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities and criminal behaviour to security agencies, assuring the public that decisive action would be taken once credible information is received.
The defence minister also stated that the nation’s security situation was gradually improving, attributing the progress to sustained military operations, improved intelligence coordination and increasing public support.
“We are getting there. It is improving daily. Peace is a collective responsibility, and everyone has a role to play,” he said.
Earlier, the Emir of Doma Kingdom, Alhaji Ahmadu Onawu, described OurNigeria as a platform that promotes patriotism, unity and national renewal. He stressed that Nigeria’s major challenge lies not in the absence of resources, but in the ineffective deployment of its human and material capital.
Similarly, the Publisher of OurNigeria News Magazine, Dr Sani Abubakar, said the awards were established to recognise integrity, credibility and genuine national service without political or financial inducements.
Abubakar noted that credible recognition encourages sacrifice and inspires recipients to do more for society, adding that many honourees were quietly impacting their communities without seeking public attention.
At the ceremony, General Christopher Musa was honoured with the Man of the Year 2025 Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to national security.
The event attracted political leaders, security chiefs, traditional rulers, professionals and civil society actors from across the country.