Musa also revealed that security agencies have identified illegal markets and motor parks as routes allegedly used by terrorists to transport weapons.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has urged governors and lawmakers not to distribute motorcycles as palliatives in their respective states, warning they could fall into the wrong hands and be diverted to terrorists, who will use them to support their operations.
He made this known on Thursday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television programme Politics Today, highlighting the Federal Government’s efforts in tackling terrorism and the challenges facing security agencies.
Justifying his advice, Musa argued that high-capacity motorcycles provide terrorists with an advantage because they can be used to navigate difficult terrain, move rapidly, and escape security operatives.
He noted that if governors must distribute motorcycles as palliatives, they should only give out small-engine models.
He said: “We try to appeal to even governors to stop giving motorcycles out as palliatives because these motorcycles are the same ones that still end up with these terrorists.
“Even if you have to give, don’t give them the big-capacity motorcycles; give them the small-capacity ones that they won’t be able to use to run around, because that gives them leverage. They can easily enter and then disappear.”
Offering similar advice to lawmakers, Musa added: “Those bikes… before you know it, it’s already back to the bandits, and that’s what they’re using. So we must stop that; we must be able to identify markets.”
The minister went on to reveal that security agencies had identified illegal markets and motor parks as routes allegedly used by terrorists to transport weapons and ammunition into areas where they operate.
“What we realise from experience is they establish illegal markets or illicit motor parks. They go to those motor parks; that’s where they move arms and ammunition into those areas,” he added.
