Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has defended military airstrikes against insurgents, alleging that many reported civilian casualties actually involve individuals engaged in trading with terrorist groups.
Speaking during a media coverage by Symfoni TV from 2:49, General Musa addressed criticism surrounding civilian casualties from aerial operations. “When the Air Force strikes an area, the next thing you hear is that there are civilian casualties. I can tell you, most of those times they are people that are trading with the terrorists,” Musa stated.
The defence chief emphasized that military operations follow deliberate procedures to minimize civilian harm, while acknowledging the possibility of operational errors. “Most times, before any strike is done, deliberate efforts are being taken. Yes, there could be mistakes, but on most occasions, they are the ones trading with terrorists. So, when the Air Force hits, they come and say, ‘No, they are just civilians.’ A friend of a thief is a thief. So, that is the procedure, and that’s how it is,” he explained.
General Musa also revealed that the military actively monitors its own personnel for potential security breaches while maintaining vigilance against external threats.
The general stressed the serious nature of ongoing counterterrorism operations, dismissing any perception that military actions lack real-world consequences. “It’s war that we are fighting. I think sometimes people think we’re still doing Nollywood; no, this is a real-life situation. People are being killed. We’re fighting enemies that don’t mean well for this country, and the most unfortunate thing on their own part is that they have nothing to lose,” Musa stated.
General Musa detailed challenges posed by drug-influenced insurgents, explaining how substance abuse affects their behavior during combat operations. “They are working on drugs; they are all drugged most times. So, even when you are shooting them and killing them, they are coming, and so people feel that they are not scared. No, a lot of them are on drugs. When we arrest them, keep them for 3 days; when the drug wears out, the man will be telling you what he is doing here,” he explained.
The defence chief also highlighted how some insurgents eventually recognize deception by their leaders after being captured. “And then some of them have been brainwashed. So, it is by this disarmament problem that some of them came to realize that they were being lied to. Their commanders are busy living larger than life, and yet they are the ones suffering,” Musa concluded.
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