Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has warned that the country’s poorly secured borders are a major factor fueling the persistent insecurity confronting the nation, allowing terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers to move freely across borders and operate with little resistance.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, the defence minister said uncontrolled cross-border movement has significantly worsened violence in many parts of the country, citing recent mass abductions and terrorist activities linked to foreign infiltration.
“Porous borders are one of the main reasons for insecurity in Nigeria,” Musa stated, stressing that criminal elements exploit weak border controls to evade security forces and regroup after attacks.
He referenced incidents toward the end of 2025, including large-scale kidnappings in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states, as well as the activities of the Lakurawa terrorist group, which reportedly escaped into the Niger Republic following U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto on Christmas Day.
Nigeria shares land borders spanning more than 4,000 kilometres with four neighbouring countries, a reality Musa acknowledged makes total physical fortification difficult. However, he emphasized that the Federal Government is committed to strengthening border security through innovative and realistic solutions.
“Maybe we cannot have physical walls everywhere, but there is technology we can deploy systematically,” he said. “Once someone crosses, an alarm is triggered and we take action.”
The minister noted that several countries with even longer borders have successfully combined fencing with advanced surveillance systems to reduce security threats, adding that Nigeria is studying similar models for adaptation.
Beyond infrastructure and technology, Musa underscored the importance of community participation, particularly among border communities, in combating insecurity.
“We need to create awareness and communicate with communities so they do not support terrorists in any way,” he said, stressing that denying criminals local support and safe havens is critical to winning the fight against insecurity.
On ransom payments, the defence minister reaffirmed the government’s position against negotiating with kidnappers, stating that the military’s primary objective is to halt the violence and protect lives.
“Nigerians are being killed. That is the bottom line,” Musa declared. “Our focus is to stop the killings, whoever the perpetrators or victims are.”
Musa’s comments come amid growing concerns over cross-border arms trafficking, instability across the Sahel region, and the ease with which armed groups move between countries. His remarks signal a renewed push by the Tinubu administration to tackle the root causes of insecurity through a combination of technology-driven border management, strategic physical barriers, and grassroots cooperation.
The defence minister’s position builds on earlier calls he made while serving as Chief of Defence Staff, reinforcing the government’s determination to restore stability and safeguard lives by tightening Nigeria’s borders and cutting off transnational criminal networks.
