NIGERIA: CDS Warns Against Trading with Terrorists, Vows Improved Security in 2025

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa has cautioned residents in security-challenged areas to desist from trading or engaging in any form of transaction with bandits, terrorists, and other non-state actors.

Lamenting over the activities of some individuals assisting these groups, Musa buttressed that such actions undermine the efforts of the military and security agencies in combating unity in the country.

Musa issued this warning on Wednesday,25 Dec 2025, during his visit to patients at the Defense Headquarters Medical Center, as part of the Christmas Celebration which coincided with his birthday.

Musa noted:

“I want to also call on those few ones who think they are making money by trading with those terrorists and bandits. Those terrorists and bandits have no respect for anybody. Once you think you are trading with them, they are going to come after you.

“If they don’t come after you, they will come after either your relations — your brother, your sister, your wife, or your husband. So, please nobody should trade with those guys.

“If we do not encourage them, we do not trade with them, they will not survive. That is the important thing we are saying.”

He further assured all that the Nigerian military would leave no stone unturned to ensure that Nigeria is peaceful in 2025.

“I think since we started to where we are today, there is a remarkable improvement in the security situation, and we are going to take that further. That is why I said next year is defining. Which means that we will do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria is peaceful.

“We are going to put every effort to ensure that we continue to live in peace. It’s not automatic, but I know if we have the cooperation of Nigerians, that is possible because God is always with us. We are going to make sure that Nigeria is better for everyone.” He said.