Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa, don tell Senate say government must stop any form of negotiation or ransom payment to terrorists because e dey make criminals strong and bold.
Musa talk this one during him ministerial screening for Abuja. According to am, anytime people pay ransom, terrorists use the money take buy weapon, regroup and come back attack the same communities.
He yan: “No negotiation with criminals. Ransom payment dey help terrorists get more power. Our banking system fit track any suspicious movement if we use am well.”
He Call for One National Database
Gen Musa also talk say Nigeria no fit win the fight against insecurity until government build one unified national database wey go carry details of every citizen and link am to banking, immigration, security and identity systems.
He complain say the way data dey scattered for different agencies dey make am easy for terrorists, cyber-criminals and illegal miners to waka freely without trace.
“Military Force Na Only 30% of the Fight”
According to Musa, military action alone no go end terrorism. He talk say poverty, bad governance, poor local government strength and lack of education still dey fuel crime for Nigeria.
He beg state and local government leaders make dem take security serious, especially for community intelligence and early warning.
Gen Musa also blast slow terrorism trials, say cases dey drag for years and e dey kill the morale of soldiers wey risk their life to catch criminals. He ask for special terrorism court and quick judgement system.
New Threats for Sea, Forest and Mining Areas
The minister warn say sea robbery and piracy dey rise again for Akwa Ibom–Cameroon coastline. He talk say Operation Delta Safe don expand to cover new danger zones.
Musa also call for total ban on illegal mining because na major way armed groups dey raise money.
He reveal plan to reduce military checkpoints nationwide so that soldiers fit go back inside forest go pursue criminals and make farmlands safe again.
Reps Want Open Trial for Terrorism Cases
For House of Representatives, lawmakers adopt strong security reforms including open and transparent trial for terrorism cases.
Dem say public trial go bring accountability and make Nigerians see wetin dey happen. But some human rights lawyers warn say witnesses need protection make criminals no target them later.
Senate Push Death Penalty for Kidnappers and Their Sponsors
The Senate yesterday also move motion to introduce death penalty for kidnappers and anybody wey finance, inform or support terrorists.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele talk say kidnapping don turn full-blown terrorist operation wey dey scatter communities and destroy economy. Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Orji Kalu support the motion.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio refer the bill go relevant committees make dem bring report within two weeks.
