By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are actively tracking politicians believed to be fueling the country’s insurgency. Musa linked the rising violence to a political climate, suggesting some actors are deliberately stoking chaos to discredit the government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an interview with Channels Television, the CDS also noted that security agents are tracking local and international terrorism financiers, with the process of naming and prosecuting them currently ongoing. He highlighted the complexity of these networks, noting that some of the sponsors have international connections that require “time and legal precision” to prosecute.
General Musa expressed deep frustration that security forces often risk their lives to apprehend high-value targets, only for them to be released due to “legal loopholes.” He described the experience as “demoralising” and called for the establishment of special courts or tribunals to handle terrorism cases more swiftly. The CDS urged lawmakers to reform the country’s legal framework, which he described as “too soft” for the nature of the country’s threats.
“You risk your life, arrest a terror suspect, and hand them over. Then they are released due to legal loopholes. It is demoralising,” he stated.
The Defence Chief also painted a grim picture of the regional security landscape, pointing to the collapse of Libya and the chaos in Sudan as key triggers for the influx of arms and fighters into Nigeria. He noted that these external crises have created a porous border, making Nigeria vulnerable to infiltration by foreign fighters and criminal elements who thrive on instability.
Interview credit to Seun Anibaloye, CHANNELS TV.