NEWS
“THE TERRORISTS THAT WE’RE DEALING WITH THINK NIGERIA IS SO RICH THAT WHEN THEY COME TO NIGERIA, THEY CAN MAKE IT” — NEW DEFENCE CHIEF, CHRISTOPHER MUSA, UNVEILS BOLD SECURITY BLUEPRINT, CALLS FOR STRONGER GOVERNANCE, REGIONAL COOPERATION AND ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR TERRORISM
In a strong and comprehensive briefing before lawmakers, Nigeria’s Defence Chief nominee laid out an ambitious national security roadmap built on improved governance, inter-agency collaboration, and strengthened regional partnerships. His detailed remarks reflected a deep understanding of Nigeria’s evolving security landscape and the urgent need for coordinated action.
He stressed that effective governance and synergy among security institutions remain fundamental to safeguarding the nation.
According to him, “Majority has to do with good governance, building capacity, working together with all the other MDAs. The police has a lot to contribute, civil defense, all other agencies including foreign service, minister of foreign affairs, interior.”
Expanding on the regional security context, he highlighted the critical link between Nigeria’s safety and the stability of neighboring countries.
He explained that “Our neighboring countries, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic, we need to also reach out to them because if they’re able to secure their own borders, it means our own borders will be secured. If theirs is porous, ours is going to be porous and because we have more to lose.”
He further warned that Nigeria’s economic strength makes it a prime target for extremist groups.
In his words, “The terrorists that we’re dealing with think Nigeria is so rich that when they come to Nigeria, they can make it. So anything they’re doing anywhere, their target and state is to come into Nigeria.”
The nominee pledged a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism and banditry, assuring lawmakers that the armed forces would intensify operations nationwide.
Emphasizing community involvement as a cornerstone of effective security, he declared: “There will be zero policy on anything banditry, terrorism. We’re going to go out and make sure that the armed forces will go fully all out, working together with the locals because like I said sir, security is localized. We don’t carry the communities along. We’re going to continue to run an issue.”
His presentation signaled a renewed determination to restore stability through collaboration, stronger governance, and decisive military action, portraying a defence architecture ready to confront Nigeria’s most pr
essing threats.