The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has called on state governors and lawmakers to refrain from distributing motorcycles as palliatives, highlighting the risk that these vehicles may end up in the hands of terrorists. Musa made this appeal during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in combating terrorism in Nigeria.

Musa emphasized that motorcycles provide terrorists with the mobility they need to navigate difficult terrains and evade security forces. He stated, "We try to appeal to even governors to stop giving motorcycles out as palliatives because these motorcycles are the same ones that still end up with these terrorists." He suggested that if motorcycles must be distributed, they should be of smaller capacity, which would limit their utility for criminal activities.

The Defence Minister further warned that motorcycles provided through constituency projects and other palliative initiatives could be misappropriated by bandits and terrorists. He explained, "Those bikes… before you know it, it’s already back to the bandits and that’s what they’re using. So we must stop that, we must be able to identify markets."

Musa pointed out that security agencies have identified illegal markets and motor parks as key channels for the movement of arms and ammunition by terrorists. He elaborated on this issue, stating, "What we realise from experience is they establish illegal markets or illicit motor parks. They go to those motor parks, that’s where they move arms and ammunition into those areas."

In addition to addressing the issue of motorcycle distribution, Musa called for increased involvement of local governments in tackling insecurity, arguing that their proximity to communities gives them a unique advantage in identifying and managing criminal activities. He noted, "Failure of local government is what is aggravating what we’re dealing with, and if we want better solutions, quick fixes, our local governments must work."

Musa also urged local government chairmen to hold regular security meetings to monitor developments in their areas. He stated, "Weekly, they’re supposed to be engaged in their security issues, be able to have their own meetings on a weekly basis and be reporting, because they know the criminals. They know their hiders, they know these things."

To further combat the movement of drugs and weapons, the Defence Minister stressed the importance of monitoring markets and motor parks, stating that doing so would make it increasingly difficult for terrorists to operate. He concluded, "If we’re able to make sure that we man all the markets, all the motor parks, all these areas where drugs, weapons, ammunition will move, it will make it difficult for them. And once you’re able to apply that, they will fizzle out."

Musa's comments come amid growing concerns over the security situation in Nigeria, with many citizens calling for more effective measures to combat terrorism and banditry. His statements reflect a broader recognition of the need for coordinated efforts at all levels of government to address these pressing issues.