Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), has called for stronger cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the Alliance of Sahel States, AES, to defeat terrorism and dismantle transnational criminal networks.
Speaking during a three-day working visit to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, General Musa said terrorism, violent extremism, cross-border crime and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea require closer regional coordination, sustained intelligence sharing and practical military cooperation.
He stressed that security threats confronting West Africa do not recognise national borders and can only be defeated through a united regional response.
As part of the visit, the Defence Minister met with Nigerian troops stationed at Togbin, where he conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving their welfare and enhancing operational capabilities. He commended the troops for their sacrifice.
General Musa also visited Nigeria House in Cotonou, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening defence partnerships with neighbouring countries for lasting peace and stability in West Africa.
