The Senate on Wednesday began the screening of retired General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
During his appearance, Musa assured the Senate and Nigerians of his unwavering commitment to national security, pledging to overhaul military professionalism and address the country’s internal security threats.
“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe. We need the support of everyone, every Nigerian, working together as a team because it’s going to be a team effort,” Musa said. He described the current threats as “evil forces that don’t mean well for this country and have no respect for human lives,” emphasizing the importance of national unity in countering them.
Responding to questions from Senate President Godswill Akpabio about the withdrawal of soldiers prior to school abductions in Maga, Kebbi State, and the capture of Brigadier General Uba, Musa promised immediate, transparent investigations.
“Starting with the issues of General Uba, it’s really unfortunate and very painful for a brigade commander to be captured in that manner,” he said. He stressed that the military would act decisively:
“I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and see terrorists have the capacity to do such. We are going to go after them, working with all the security agencies, and we are going to investigate fully.”
Musa highlighted a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct within the armed forces. “No indolence, no act of cowardice will be entertained. We are going to monitor all activities, from commanders down to troops. They must be professional,” he affirmed.
Addressing the captured general, Musa questioned how he could be alone without his troops, while regarding the school abductions, he vowed accountability for any lapses:
“It’s unfortunate that the troops were there and then left shortly before incidents occurred. We will investigate, and all those found culpable will face the law accordingly.”
Drawing on his 39 years of military experience, Musa underscored his understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges and potential solutions.
“As I come on board, having served 39 years, we know what is going on and what needs to be done. We can win this war, but we must work together; we must get the support of all Nigerians,” he said.
Musa also promised continuous operational reviews and proactive measures to maintain peace and security across the country:
“From Day 1, we will monitor and review our activities. Where we have fallen short, we’ll take corrective measures. Our children will be secured and safe, but this will require all of us working together to achieve it.”