General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria?s Chief of Defence Staff, has reiterated the critical role of good governance in the fight against insurgency, citing poverty, hunger, and lack of infrastructure as key enablers for extremist recruitment.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Musa underscored the necessity of collaboration, both locally and internationally, to effectively combat Boko Haram and other non-state actors.

He described dire conditions in many affected communities, where residents lack access to basic amenities such as roads, water, and electricity.

?For us to have a final solution (to insurgency), we must have the backing of good governance. Good governance is important, because when we get into some of these communities, a lot of them don?t even know anything about government. You go there and there are no roads, no water and no electricity and as long as we have poverty and hunger, these are tools they use to bring them into the fold and that is why they recruit so easily.

?I can tell you that on a weekly basis, we are taking them out, as many as possible. But the more you do that, the access they get from these other countries into Nigeria, movements of small arms and all into Nigeria.?

Musa also stressed the importance of functional local governments, effective governance by state leaders, and improved education systems to eliminate illiteracy.

?Our local governments must work well; our governors must work well. We must have food; we must have schools so that we would remove illiteracy. We also realized that their commanders are living larger than life across the border because they are surviving in a no man?s land between Nigeria and these other neighboring countries. That is why it is important we work with these countries,? he said, highlighting the need for grassroots development.

The general called for stronger collaboration with Nigeria?s neighbours, emphasising the importance of border control to curb the influx of arms and other resources fuelling insurgency.

?That is why it is important to work with our neighbours because working with them makes sure that they block their own borders and once they do that, these things don? get into Nigeria.?

He also urged neighbouring nations to remain within ECOWAS, stressing the value of regional unity in tackling cross-border challenges.

Musa also revealed efforts to disrupt the financial lifelines sustaining Boko Haram, citing observations of hard currencies among insurgents during surrendering exercises. He pointed to international and local funding sources, including taxes, levies, and kidnapping, as significant contributors to their operations.

To counteract this, he said the Nigerian authorities have engaged multiple agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NFIU, Central Bank, NIA, and DSS. International organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union have also been enlisted to help trace and cut off insurgent funding.

?If we are able to take that out, we would take the oxygen that keeps them going,? he said, highlighting the importance of financial disruption in undermining extremist groups.

Musa further highlighted the complexities of modern warfare, where insurgents blend into local populations. He also noted that the ideological nature of insurgency further complicates the battle.

General Musa also advocated for an inclusive approach to recognising military contributions, proposing a shift in the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to encompass both fallen heroes and living service members.

?The Armed forces Remembrance Day is actually to remember our fallen heroes. But not only the fallen heroes are supposed to be appreciated, even the living. So, we are making efforts to change the name and make it better by making it an armed forces celebration and Remembrance Day. That will also be able to capture those that are living to be appreciated, the families that have been left behind and those that have paid the supreme prices.? (AriseNews TV: Text, Excluding Headline)

Update news