Defense Minister: Sambisa’s Size Makes Rescue Operations Difficult

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has defended the government’s efforts to combat insecurity, saying the vast areas occupied by terrorists make rescue and security operations difficult. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Musa said security forces had continued to rescue abducted victims, but often faced difficulties tracking terrorists who retreat into expansive forest areas. He said the Sambisa Forest covers about 923 square kilometres and is comparable in size to Belgium, stressing that the scale of the terrain makes it difficult to conduct security operations effectively. Musa said the situation should not be viewed as though security forces were dealing with a small, easily accessible area, adding that efforts were being made to rescue more victims.

The minister explained that terrorists often disappear into forested areas before security agencies receive information about an abduction. According to him, the forests extend across routes from Burkina Faso and the Benin Republic into Nigeria, creating vast areas that are difficult to monitor. Musa said that by the time information about an abduction reaches the relevant authorities, the perpetrators may have already moved deep into the forests. He maintained that despite these challenges, security forces were continuing their operations to locate and rescue victims. The minister’s comments came amid concerns over insecurity and the government’s response to abductions and terrorist activities across the country.

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