The military high command, on Wednesday, warned the citizens residing in the areas being ravaged by insecurity to end any form of trading or transaction with terrorists, bandits and other non-state actors in their domain.
It also said some unpatriotic elements have been trading with these groups, adding that their actions were sabotaging the efforts of the military and other security agencies in fighting insecurity in the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, handed down this warning at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja after visiting sick officers and other patients at the Defence Headquarters Medical Centre.
His visit was part of the Christmas celebration which also coincided with his birthday. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Oghogho Musa and other top military echelons from Defence Headquarters.
“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 told journalists in an interview.
Musa said that terrorism was not nipped in the bud when it began, which, according to him, allowed it to fester.
Musa assured all that the military would leave no stone unturned to ensure that Nigeria is peaceful in 2025.
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 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.”