By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has attributed the spike in the killings happening in the country to the preparation for the 2027 general election. The Lagos Voice reports that there has been a sharp increase in terrorist activities in the North East, while in the North East, bandit attacks take place almost daily.
The states of Benue and Plateau remain hotspots for violence and killings. On Monday, at least 34 individuals attending prayers at a mosque in the Unguwar Mantau community of Malumfashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, lost their lives.
The military chief made this assertion during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening. General Musa noted that the increasing level of insecurity, compared to the previous year, is closely linked to the political activities occurring in anticipation of the upcoming elections.
He said,
“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?
“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.”
