The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence following an extensive five-hour screening session on Wednesday.
The confirmation came a day after President Bola Tinubu submitted Musa’s nomination to the upper chamber. His appointment coincides with a period of escalating insecurity across the country, particularly with mass abductions in schools and the growing prevalence of kidnapping for ransom in northern and other regions of Nigeria.
During the screening, General Musa addressed the recent abduction of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, where reports indicated that troops had withdrawn prior to the attackers’ arrival. He pledged that one of his first actions in office would be to investigate this alleged withdrawal, emphasizing that the Nigerian military does not shy away from duty.
“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (of government),” Musa said, speaking in the presence of his family members. He further noted, “We are going to investigate fully. The Armed Forces have a way and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”
General Musa highlighted that while school abductions have dominated headlines, kidnapping for ransom remains a thriving criminal enterprise in Nigeria. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024. He underscored that the government must end ransom payments and, where transactions occur, track the funds through technological means.
“The use of technology is very important. Like I said, if we are able to have a database – every Nigerian has a number linked to everything you have electronically – we can monitor everything,” Musa stated, stressing the critical role of innovation in countering insecurity. He rejected negotiating with criminals, noting that doing so allows them to regroup, acquire weapons, and resume attacks on communities.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, presiding over the session, reaffirmed the upper chamber’s opposition to negotiating with terrorists or financing ransom payments, citing the financial and social toll such measures impose. Reflecting on his experience as Akwa Ibom State governor, Akpabio noted that deradicalizing criminals without accountability “demoralizes the society” and encourages recidivism. He assured General Musa of the Senate’s backing to strengthen security measures and urged a reduction in the period of trial for offenders to ensure timely justice.
The confirmation of General Musa marks a decisive step by the Nigerian government to confront the country’s mounting security challenges. With a focus on operational oversight, technological integration, and uncompromising action against kidnappers and terrorists, his leadership is expected to reinforce coordination among security institutions and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s defence mechanisms.
