Defence Minister Musa Addresses Allegations of Paying Salaries to Terrorists

Defence Minister Christopher Musa has denied reports that Nigeria is paying salaries to terrorists.

He said that captured insurgents are being prosecuted, noting that several have already been imprisoned.

Musa made the comments while answering questions in an interview with Arise Television on Friday.

"Not at all, not at all. We’re not rewarding terrorists, we’re not rewarding acts of criminality. It would be stupid for us to do that," he said.

"Yes, we can understand the sentiments. People feel aggrieved, and naturally they will think that everyone involved should be killed, but we can’t do that, because it would be the same Nigeria that would then say we are also killing innocent civilians," Musa added.

"We are rehabilitating. Yes. No, no, we’re not paying terrorists salaries. Those who were terrorists, those commanders, and those who are facing the law. The attorney general is dealing with them, and they’ve been jailing them several times. I’m sure a few weeks ago, some of them were also jailed."