Dare Babalola
The former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of troops from the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, prior to the abduction of 25 schoolgirls on November 17, vowing to leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of the security lapse that led to the tragic incident.
Security forces reportedly pulled out from their duty posts just before the abduction of 25 schoolgirls on November 17, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
During his ministerial screening at the Senate on Wednesday, General Musa stated that upon assuming office as Defence Minister, he would establish a committee to investigate the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba, vowing to ensure a thorough probe into the incident.
He condemned the recent abduction and killing of a brigade commander by terrorists in Borno State, assuring lawmakers that a committee would be set up to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident.
He said, “It is very unfortunate and really painful. I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and have terrorists have the capacity to do such.
“We are going to go after them fully working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (of government). 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.”
According to him, the armed forces will not tolerate any form of cowardice or unprofessional conduct, and those responsible for such acts will be held accountable.
He further noted the need for strict professionalism, pledging to enhance oversight of military operations to ensure prompt and decisive action when required.
With 39 years of service under his belt, the nominee asserted that he is fully prepared to take on the nation’s security challenges head-on, expressing confidence that Nigeria can triumph over terrorism and banditry with the right support and cooperation across security agencies, stating that he is ready to come on stream and lead the fight.
The ex-CDS also acknowledged that significant gaps currently exist within the armed forces, hindering their effectiveness.
“From day one, we will review all ongoing activities, identifying adequate funding as fundamental,” he added.
He underscored the need to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative, noting that many schools remain exposed and vulnerable to attacks.
Musa underpinned the importance of building the capacity of local communities and adopting a whole-of-society approach that integrates technology, community participation and coordinated security operations.
He maintained that such measures are critical to effectively addressing and ending the recurring incidents of kidnapping, highlighting the need to improve accountability within the armed forces.
Musa emphasised that several security agencies are not operating at full capacity and stressed the need for them to harmonize their roles, particularly with neighbouring countries, given the transnational scope of terrorism.
He cautioned that Nigeria stands to lose greatly if security agencies fail to collaborate, noting that terrorists view the country as a lucrative target due to its wealth, making it a prime spot for attacks.
He stressed the importance of adopting a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and banditry, emphasising that this can only be achieved through collaboration with local communities, as security is inherently local.
The nominee also highlighted that many existing laws are outdated and need urgent review. He cited unregulated mining activities as a significant funding source for criminal groups, stressing the need for enhanced monitoring backed by modern technology.
