Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed to deepen defence cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing and coordinate operations to tackle terrorism, banditry, trafficking and other cross-border security threats in West Africa.
The agreement was reached during a three-day working visit by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), to Cotonou, where he held high-level talks with his Beninese counterpart, Minister of National Defence, Mr Gildas Agonkan, and the country’s military high command.
The discussions focused on harmonising regional security frameworks, stabilising shared land borders and strengthening measures to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea against piracy and other maritime crimes.
A major outcome of the visit was the consensus on establishing seamless, real-time intelligence-sharing and fusion mechanisms between the two countries.
The mechanism is expected to enable the security forces of both countries to identify, track and disrupt transnational criminal networks and insurgent groups before they can launch attacks or exploit the porous borders between Nigeria and Benin.
General Musa, while reaffirming Nigeria’s zero-tolerance position on terrorism, urged stronger collaboration to deny violent extremist groups safe havens in border communities.
He also advocated greater operational coordination between the two countries to prevent terrorists, bandits and criminal elements from exploiting territorial boundaries to evade security forces.
The Minister said Nigeria was ready to work closely with Benin Republic to stop criminals responsible for attacks and killings in both countries.
“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits, all those criminals that are killing people in our own countries,” Musa said.
He added that his visit was partly aimed at finding practical ways for both countries to coordinate their military operations and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating through their shared borders.
As part of efforts to reinforce border security, Nigeria also proposed wider pursuit arrangements for security personnel operating along the borders to prevent insurgent spillover and illegal trafficking.
The Defence Minister further stressed the importance of intelligence-driven and technology-enabled defence, which he identified as one of the pillars of his administration’s defence strategy.
In line with this, General Musa and his delegation visited the Centre for Post Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations (CPADD) as well as the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
The visits provided opportunities for both countries to exchange ideas on local capacity building, defence-related technology and industrial development, while promoting cooperation in line with ECOWAS protocols and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Musa also inspected Nigerian Army troops deployed at Togbin, Cotonou, under the Peace Support Mission in Benin Republic, Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II.
Addressing the troops, the Minister commended their sacrifices and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to their welfare and operational effectiveness.
“A lot of good things that Mr President is preparing for you, we are following up to ensure that you live very well. We are providing the necessary aspects so that you can do your job,” he said.
He acknowledged the difficulties associated with military service, assuring the troops that the government recognised their sacrifices in securing the country.
During the visit, General Musa also held diplomatic discussions with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mrs Mopelola Ibrahim, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian troops and the promotion of regional peace and stability.
The Defence Minister has since returned to Abuja after concluding the three-day working visit.
