Why Southwest Nigeria Is Safer Than Other Regions,.Explains Incoming Defence Minister Musa Nigeria’s newly confirmed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has attributed the relative safety enjoyed in the South-West to strong cooperation among governors in the region, urging other zones to adopt the same strategy to tackle escalating insecurity Speaking during his Senate screening, Musa praised the South-West for demonstrating what coordinated regional action can achieve. He noted that governors in the zone work collectively, share intelligence, and implement joint security operations such as Amotekun, which has deterred armed groups and reduced criminal movement across state lines. He emphasized that this unity remains the foundation of the region’s stability, stating, “Why the South-West seems to be doing very well is because they all agreed together Musa, however, warned that other regions continue to face worsening security threats because of porous borders, particularly around the Sokoto–Niger Republic axis, which armed groups exploit to evade security forces. He linked recent attacks and attempted incursions into states like Kwara to these cross-border movements, cautioning that without stronger regional collaboration, violent groups may expand further southwards. The incoming minister pledged major reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence posture. He announced plans to withdraw soldiers from routine checkpoints and deploy them into forests and rural areas where bandits and terrorists operate. He also promised to reinforce cooperation among the military, police, and community security outfits, while prioritizing border security and intelligence sharing. Musa stressed that insecurity cannot be defeated by the military alone, advocating a whole-of-society approach involving federal, state, and local authorities, as well as communities. He said the South-West’s model proves that political will and unity among leaders can significantly limit the operations of criminal networks. His appointment comes amid rising nationwide concerns over kidnappings, banditry, and insurgent attacks. As he assumes office, expectations are high that the defence ministry will deliver a more coordinated, effective response to the country’s security challenges.
