General Musa Warns Governors Against Negotiating With Bandits, Threatens Troop Withdrawal

General Musa Warns Governors Against Negotiating With Bandits, Threatens Withdrawal of Troops

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has issued a strong warning to state governors against negotiating with bandits and terrorist groups, declaring that any governor who engages in such talks is indirectly supporting terrorism.

General Musa made the statement while addressing security concerns across the country, stressing that negotiation with armed groups undermines national security efforts and weakens the morale of security forces risking their lives to protect citizens.

According to him, the military will no longer tolerate situations where political leaders enter into private negotiations with bandits while soldiers are deployed to confront the same groups on the battlefield. He stated that such actions create confusion, embolden criminal elements, and sabotage coordinated security operations.

In a firm stance, the defence chief warned that the Armed Forces may withdraw troops from any state where the governor chooses negotiation over lawful security measures, leaving the state government and residents to bear full responsibility for their decisions.

     Related story: Five women freed after N12, Naira ransom in Kogi, three still held: https://everydaystorynetwork.blogspot.com/2026/01/five-women-freed-after-12m-ransom-in.html

General Musa emphasized that banditry and terrorism are not issues to be settled through bargaining, but crimes that must be confronted with intelligence-driven operations, cooperation with security agencies, and firm governance. He added that paying ransoms or entering peace deals often funds further attacks and prolongs insecurity.

The statement has sparked nationwide debate, especially in regions heavily affected by kidnapping and banditry, where some state governments have previously explored dialogue as a temporary solution to violence.

Security analysts say the warning signals a shift toward a zero-tolerance policy and stronger alignment between federal security forces and state leadership. However, critics argue that withdrawing troops could expose civilians to greater danger if alternative protections are not in place.

As insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, General Musa’s remarks underscore the military’s insistence on a unified national approach, one that rejects negotiation with armed groups and prioritizes decisive action to restore peace.