The Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has cautioned Nigerians against including bandits in the “northern brotherhood” narrative promoted by some public figures.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Wednesday, Musa said, “A friend of a thief is a thief,” urging citizens not to support terrorists or bandits in any form.
The statement directly responds to comments by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, who previously described bandits hiding in the bush as “our brothers” and suggested society cannot do without them.
General Musa stressed that while empathy for individuals is acceptable, justifying or normalizing criminal acts strengthens networks responsible for displacing families, destroying communities, and claiming innocent lives.
He emphasized that labeling bandits as “brothers” neither reduces violence nor improves national security but instead legitimizes criminality.
“Anyone who excuses, defends, or shields criminals through words, influence, or silence shares responsibility for the consequences,” Musa said, drawing a firm line between compassion and complicity.
The Defence Minister warned that terrorism thrives not only on weapons but also on moral cover, urging Nigerians to take a clear stance in support of law and order.
He reminded citizens that neutrality in the face of criminality only benefits perpetrators and undermines the fight against banditry and terrorism.
Musa’s remarks underscore the government’s position that combating insecurity requires both military action and societal support, rejecting narratives that blur the line between victims and criminals.
The Defence Ministry called on all Nigerians to uphold the law and national security, warning that rhetoric sympathetic to bandits could make individuals complicit in ongoing crimes.
