The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has issued a strong warning to citizens, cautioning them against engaging in any form of trading or business transaction with terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors.

This warning came following intelligence that some unpatriotic elements have been trading with these groups, thereby sabotaging the efforts of the military and other security agencies.

The CDS’s warning was a timely reminder of the importance of prioritizing national security and safety above personal interests or financial gains.

General Musa issued the warning on Christmas day, during an interview with newsmen after embarking on a charity visit to patients at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Medical Centre, as part of the Christmas celebration which coincided with his birthday.

The Defence Chief said that the military and other security agencies had made significant progress in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in 2024, and assured that more would be achieved in the coming year.

He said: “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 something that is automatic, but I know if we have the cooperation of Nigerians that is possible because God is with us always. We are going to make sure that Nigeria is better for everyone.

“The mistakes that were made in the past when this thing (terrorism/banditry) started was that we did not nip it in the bud. We allowed it to get to where it is. But thank God everybody is putting hands together and we are very happy Nigerians are warming up. We are getting a lot of support from Nigerians, a lot of prayers, a lot of information on things that are happening everywhere. We must continue to do that.

“I want to also call on those few ones that 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, 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.”

General Musa said he was at the medical centre to support and pray for sick soldiers and their families, as well as the medical personnel he said were doing their best to care for the patients.

He said the new DHQ hospital would be completed next year, which he promised would provide improved medical services to the members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The General presented some gifts to dozens of patients in the hospital, praying for their quick recovery.(The Guardian)