Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has raised alarms over a notable surge in violent attacks across Nigeria, suggesting the spike may be politically motivated—a troubling indication of manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an interview on Channels Television, General Musa highlighted a pattern of intensified terrorist and bandit activity in the North-East and North-West, with states like Benue and Plateau also grappling with rising unrest. He observed:
“Last year, we recorded the lowest number of deaths. How come this year, suddenly, everything has spiked? Politics is coming, the election is coming… some people are controlling these criminals to ensure there is no peace, and governance is discredited.”
While acknowledging that financial gain is a motive for criminal networks, Musa argued that these groups might also be strategically used to disrupt stability and weaken public confidence in government performance. He questioned:
“How do you kill the people you want to govern? What do you gain from it?”
He then pointed to progress in counterterrorism efforts, noting that authorities, including the Office of the Attorney General and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), have begun identifying and prosecuting financiers of terrorist activities. He cited ongoing legal action related to the Owo church bombing as an example of this reckoning.
What Is at Stake
Rising insecurity: Attacks on civilians and religious worshippers—such as the mosque massacre in Unguwar Mantau, Katsina State, where at least 34 worshippers were killed—have escalated nationwide.
Political interference: The Defence Chief’s blunt linking of insecurity with political strategy underscores fears that violence may be leveraged to undermine governance and electoral integrity.
Accountability efforts: Musa emphasized the shift toward prosecuting not just field operatives, but also those sponsoring terror ideologically or financially.
As the 2027 elections approach, the CDS’s warning underscores the urgent need for vigilance—not just operationally by security agencies, but also politically and civically—to shield democratic processes from disruption through orchestrated violence.
