2027 Polls Behind Surge In Killings – CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has disclosed that the recent surge in killings across the country has to do with the 2027 general election.
The country has in recent times witnessed renewed terror attacks in the North-East and attacks by the bandits in the North-West.
Benue and Plateau states continue to be epicentres of killings.
On Monday, at least 34 worshippers at a mosque in Unguwar Mantau community of Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State were killed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening, Musa said the rising wave of insecurity compared to last year could not be divorced from political activities ahead of the polls.
According to him, some politicians are deliberately fuelling violence to discredit the government’s security record and campaign on the back of chaos.
“Criminals, both bandits and terrorists, work together. They have a common goal to make money and destabilise communities. But there is also a political angle. Some individuals don’t want peace because when there is peace, the government is seen to be doing well. When there is no peace, the government is seen to be failing.
“Last year, we recorded the lowest number of deaths. How come this year, suddenly, everything has spiked? Politics is coming, the election is coming. You cannot rule out the fact that some people are controlling these criminals to ensure there is no peace, and governance is discredited. But the funny thing is, how do you kill the people you want to govern? What do you gain from it?” Musa asked.
The Defence Chief further disclosed that terrorism continues to thrive in Nigeria due to local and foreign funding.
He said the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Department of State Services, and the National Intelligence Agency are tracking terror financiers, though legal hurdles have slowed down the process of naming them.
He noted the identification of international collaborations and foreign funding of terrorism, assuring that such links are being tracked.
“The process of naming terrorism financiers is on. Just last week, the AGF and others went to check. It has to do with legal issues and international connections. Some of them get funds from outside. The NFIU has been doing so much; arrests have been made, and prosecutions have started. Those behind the Owo bombing are already facing trial,” he said.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
