Latest news with #ChristopherMusa
Business Insider
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Nigeria strengthens military ties with breakaway Sahel states amid insecurity
Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has confirmed that the country remains firmly aligned with the military forces of Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic in a joint effort to confront shared security threats across West Africa. Nigeria aligns collaboratively with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to address regional security concerns. Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa emphasized the importance of defense cooperation across porous borders. Nigeria maintains its commitment to regional cooperation amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics. Speaking at the University of Ibadan during a lecture organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Security Management, Musa affirmed that the military alliance between Nigeria and the Sahel states remains active despite political tensions and recent withdrawals from regional blocs. He highlighted that the increasing fragility of state security, compounded by porous borders, has made cross-border cooperation not only necessary but urgent. According to The Guardian Nigeria, Musa noted that Nigeria cannot afford to be isolated in the fight against transnational threats. He warned that instability in neighbouring countries, if left unaddressed, could spill into Nigeria's territory. 'If we don't help them to stand strong, the effect will come on us,' he said. To tackle one of the most pressing issues of border insecurity Musa renewed his call for the fencing of key sections of Nigeria's borders. He described the initiative as a strategic and intentional move that Nigeria must adopt, referencing Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan as examples of nations that have implemented effective border fortifications to safeguard national security. While political developments may have altered regional alliances, Musa asserted that military cooperation continues undeterred. He stated, 'Politically, the three countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso may have exited, but militarily we still work together. ' He noted that crises such as climate-driven migration, terrorism, and economic disparity have created fertile ground for instability, particularly in already fragile states like Nigeria. Nigeria embraces 'big brother' role Amid the unravelling of traditional regional alliances in West Africa, Nigeria is reinforcing its role as a stabilising force by deepening diplomatic and military engagement with the breakaway Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Despite the trio's formal exit from ECOWAS in early 2025 and their increasing pivot away from Western influence, Nigeria has resisted isolating its northern neighbours. Instead, it has adopted a pragmatic approach—one that prioritises security collaboration over political estrangement. The AES bloc—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—emerged after the trio's joint withdrawal from ECOWAS in early 2025, marking a major shift in regional alliances. While the bloc has strengthened ties and rejected Western influence, Nigeria has opted to stay engaged, aiming to preserve its leadership role. In an earlier report by Business Insider Africa, Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed Abuja's commitment to regional cooperation, stressing that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger remain crucial to West Africa's economic future despite their exit from ECOWAS. Analysts argue that Nigeria's deep ties and shared borders make disengagement untenable. With jihadist insurgencies, arms trafficking, and humanitarian crises spilling across borders, Abuja appears determined to sustain operational links with the AES states—even outside traditional multilateral frameworks. Whether this deepening engagement leads to lasting realignment or remains a temporary response to crisis is still uncertain. For now, Nigeria is positioning itself as both mediator and partner in a region increasingly defined by fragmentation and uncertainty.
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- General
- TimesLIVE
Nigeria's defence chief proposes fencing borders to curb insecurity
Nigeria's defence chief on Tuesday called for the country's borders with its four neighbours to be completely fenced to curb the entrance of armed groups amid escalating insecurity. Nigeria's military has been strained by widespread security issues, particularly a 16-year insurgency in the northeast led by Islamist militant group Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province. Security forces and civilians have been attacked and killed and tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Defence chief of staff Gen Christopher Musa, who spoke at a security conference in the capital Abuja, said "border management is very critical", citing Pakistan's 1,350km fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia's 1,400km barrier with Iraq as successful precedents. This is the first time a top Nigerian official has publicly suggested such a measure. "Other countries, because of the level of insecurity they have, had to fence their borders," he said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nigeria's defence chief proposes fencing borders to curb insecurity
By Ope Adetayo ABUJA (Reuters) -Nigeria's defence chief on Tuesday called for the country's borders with its four neighbours to be completely fenced to curb the entrance of armed groups amid escalating insecurity. Nigeria's military has been strained by widespread security issues, particularly a 16-year insurgency in the northeast led by Islamist militant group Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province. Security forces and civilians have been attacked and killed and tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Defence Chief of Staff, General Christopher Musa, who spoke at a security conference in the capital Abuja, said "border management is very critical," citing Pakistan's 1,350 km (839 miles) fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia's 1,400 km barrier with Iraq as successful precedents. This is the first time a top Nigerian official has publicly suggested such a measure. "Other countries, because of the level of insecurity they have, had to fence their borders," he said. Nigeria borders Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad, which are all grappling with escalating militant campaigns across the Sahel. Nigerian authorities often attribute its prolonged insurgency, including recent attacks on military stations, to foreign fighter infiltration. Nigeria's longest border (1,975 km) is with Cameroon in the northeast, a Boko Haram hotspot. It also shares 1,500 km with Niger and 85 km with Chad, nations that have lost territory to armed groups. Musa warned Nigeria's perceived wealth makes it a target. "It is Nigeria that everybody is interested in. That is why we need to secure fully and take control of our borders," he said. "It is critical for our survival and sovereignty."
Zawya
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) successfully concluded its 43rd Ordinary Meeting in Abuja
The 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Staff (CCDS), held from 11 to 13 March 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, has ended with the result that regional security and cooperation within the Community have been better promoted and a common front has been established to meet security challenges. Addressing his fellow members of the Committee at the closing ceremony, General Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the CCDS said: '… In the course of our deliberations, we identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated our firm resolve towards addressing these threats. As expected, there were areas of concern between members but more importantly there was firm resolve on the need for collective action. This is the spirit of this gathering which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities.' General Christopher Musa concluded his remarks by stating that he was convinced that the results and recommendations of the discussions and deliberations would address the issues and challenges facing the region, and that they would certainly lead to concrete actions that would further strengthen collective efforts to achieve a safer and more prosperous Community. We should recall that, the deliberations of this 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Staff Committee focused on key security issues in the West African sub-region. Some of these areas, include the review of pledges for ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for ECOWAS Counter-terrorist Brigade and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operation Divisions and ECOWAS Standby Force. The meeting also provided an opportunity to present the results of the meeting of government experts on the ECOWAS logistics concept and the standard operating procedures for the ECOWAS logistics depot in Lungi (Sierra Leone) and to examine the report of the last meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Naval Staff Committee. Furthermore, a presentation was made on Standardization of the Table of Equipment for ECOWAS Standby Force. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigeria angered after military chief denied Canada entry
The Nigerian government has condemned Canada for denying visas to its senior military officers, including the head of the military. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Christopher Musa said half of his delegation, who were supposed to be in Canada for an official assignment on Wednesday, were left in Nigeria after not getting the correct paperwork. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo condemned the action by Canadian officials, terming it "disrespectful" to the West African country. The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria said it was aware of the matter but declined to give further details for "privacy reasons" on the specific individuals involved. It comes two weeks after Canada introduced new regulations that grant immigration officers explicit authority to cancel temporary resident documents under specific circumstances. The changes were aimed at bolstering border security, maintaining the integrity of visa programmes and protecting public safety, according to the Canadian authorities. Speaking on Thursday, Gen Musa said how he and his colleagues were blocked from attending an event in Canada meant to honour war veterans. "We were invited along with our team, but while half of us got visas, the other half was denied. It's very disappointing," he added. He termed the incident a "wake-up call" for Nigeria to strengthen its sovereignty and "refuse to be taken for granted". Nuhu Ribadu, a national security adviser, who spoke at the same event on Thursday, expressed disappointment at the move, calling it "disrespectful" saying Canada "can go to hell". "This is yet another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work," Mr Ribadu added. During an interview on Nigerian TV on Friday, Tunji-Ojo said Canada's action was unjustifiable, noting that diplomatic channels could have been used to address any concerns. "If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian," the interior minister said. He was however hopeful that the matter would be resolved diplomatically to ensure mutual respect between both nations. Oil clean-up 'scam' warnings ignored by Shell, whistleblower tells BBC Unconventional Trump brings openings and perils for Africa Nigerian extradited to US for alleged sextortion Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
