Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warned that the recent surge in killings is connected to the 2027 elections.
In an interview on Channels Television, Musa said terrorists and bandits were exploiting political tensions to destabilise communities. He explained that their goal was to discredit the government and instill fear among citizens as the election season approached.
“Last year, we recorded the lowest deaths. Suddenly, everything has spiked. Politics is coming. 2027 elections are coming,” Musa said. He also alleged that some politicians were supporting violent groups for selfish gains, stressing that it was illogical for leaders to destroy the very people they intended to govern.
Furthermore, Musa revealed that terror groups benefit from both local and foreign funding. Security agencies, including the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, are tracking those sponsors. However, he admitted that legal delays often make it difficult to prosecute financiers, which allows them to continue their activities with the hope of dirupting the 2027 elections.
To address this, he called for the establishment of special courts to handle terrorism-related cases. Musa noted that swift justice would weaken criminal networks, while delayed trials only embolden them.
He also pointed to insecurity in the Sahel as a major factor. According to him, the fall of Libya opened a regional arms market that still fuels conflicts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Consequently, illegal weapons continue to flow into Nigeria through porous borders, increasing threats ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite these challenges, Musa said the military had made progress. He cited recent operations in which over 100 terrorists were killed. He also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the Defence Industrial Bill, which should reduce reliance on costly foreign weapons.
Musa concluded by urging citizens to stop funding or sheltering terrorists. He stressed that success in securing the 2027 elections will require collaboration between security forces, government, and local communities.
