Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has called for stronger security collaboration between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to defeat terrorism, dismantle cross-border criminal networks and restore peace across West Africa.
Speaking on Tuesday upon his arrival in Cotonou, Benin Republic, for a three-day working visit aimed at harmonising regional defence strategies, General Musa stressed that the growing security threats confronting the region require a united and coordinated response.
He said closer cooperation between ECOWAS and AES was critical to preventing insurgent spillover across land borders, enhancing intelligence sharing and strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The minister maintained that only a collective regional security architecture would effectively address terrorism, banditry and other transnational crimes threatening stability and economic development in West Africa.
General Musa was received at Cotonou International Airport by Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan, who commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting peace and stability in the sub-region.
Agonkan praised Nigeria’s swift interventions in safeguarding democratic governance across West Africa and also lauded the performance of the Nigerian Army contingent that participated in Benin’s National Day parade on August 1, describing Nigeria as an indispensable partner in combating transnational crime.
During the visit, the Defence Minister met with Nigerian troops stationed at Togbin, where he reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving troop welfare, enhancing operational effectiveness and providing the capacity required to tackle evolving security challenges.
General Musa also visited the Nigeria House in Cotonou, where he was hosted by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim.
The ambassador said Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with Benin is anchored on expanding bilateral trade and strengthening joint border surveillance to improve security and economic cooperation between both countries.
