The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has raised an alarm over the deepening crisis in the Sahel region, warning that the conflict poses a major threat to Nigeria’s security and stability.
He urged greater regional cooperation to confront insurgents and criminal groups who exploit porous borders.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Exercise Haske Biyu, a multinational security training organised by the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, General Musa stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved by unilateral action.
‘The crisis in the Sahel is intensifying, and the enemies we face do not respect national borders’, he said. ‘If we hold on to our borders alone, we will continue to suffer. But if we unite and work across, it makes it better’.
Citing the Multinational Joint Task Force in Chad, Musa noted that collaboration between neighbouring countries had proven effective in combating insurgents who move freely across borders.
He insisted that such partnerships remain essential to restoring peace in the region.
‘At the end of the day, the only thing we must do is to look for the bad guys and take them out. That is the only way we can have peace’, he declared.
The Defence Chief also highlighted the need for civil-military cooperation, urging local communities to deny criminals safe havens. “Once communities deny these elements the ability to stay, they will not be able to stand’, he explained.
General Musa warned personnel to remain professional, free of corruption and partisan influence, stressing that discipline and integrity were key to defeating armed groups.
