Sambisa Forest same size as Belgium, makes rescue operations difficult — Christopher Musa

General Christopher Musa, the former Minister of Defence, has highlighted the significant challenges posed by the vast Sambisa Forest in Nigeria's efforts to rescue kidnapped individuals by terrorist groups. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Musa explained that the expansive size of the forest, which is nearly the same as Belgium's country size, makes it exceedingly difficult for security forces to swiftly locate and rescue hostages.

According to Musa, security agencies have managed to rescue numerous kidnapped Nigerians, but the terrorists often manage to evade capture by quickly disappearing into the dense forest areas. He noted that "Sambisa Forest is as big as Belgium, as a country," emphasizing the scale of the challenge this presents to rescue operations.

Musa elaborated on how the size and terrain of the forest give terrorists a significant advantage, allowing them to vanish into the bush before security agencies are even notified of an abduction. This rapid retreat into the forest complicates the ability of troops to determine the exact location of the victims and increases the difficulty of rescuing them.

He described the forest as a massive area that spans from Burkina Faso to the Benin Republic into Nigeria, illustrating the extensive territory that poses a threat to security operations.

The minister further discussed specific rescue operations, such as a recent one in Kwara State, where security forces successfully rescued victims by restricting the movement of their abductors and effectively "quarantining" the area. This strategy denied the terrorists access to their usual routes and supplies, ultimately leading to their capture.

Musa also pointed out that terrorists sometimes abandon their captives when faced with increased pressure from security forces, providing a window of opportunity for rescue missions to intervene.

In addition to rescue efforts, Musa highlighted the importance of monitoring financial transactions linked to criminal activities, such as ransom payments. He stated that these transactions could offer valuable insights for tracking kidnappers. The Central Bank of Nigeria was involved in efforts to identify and monitor suspicious funds associated with criminal activities, further aiding in the fight against terrorism and kidnapping.

Musa advised state governors to exercise caution when distributing motorcycles as part of relief measures, warning that these vehicles could potentially fall into the wrong hands, thereby enhancing the terrorists' mobility and operational capabilities. Despite the daunting challenges posed by Nigeria’s vast and difficult terrain, Musa maintained that security forces are making progress in combating terrorism and kidnapping.