Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as the nation’s new Minister of Defence. The confirmation followed a five-hour, rigorous screening by lawmakers, who grilled the nominee extensively on the country’s persistent security challenges.
The appointment of Gen. Musa, nominated by President Bola Tinubu, comes at a time of heightened public concern over widespread insecurity, including mass abductions, banditry, and an ongoing insurgency in the Northeast.
Key Investigations Promised
During the confirmation hearing, Gen. Musa immediately pledged to launch full-scale investigations into recent, high-profile security lapses that have caused national outrage:
- Kebbi School Abduction: He vowed to probe the controversial withdrawal of troops from the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, just hours before schoolgirls were abducted on November 17.
- Targeted Killings: The new Minister committed to investigating the killing of a brigade commander in Borno State, Brigadier General Musa Uba, and other recent attacks targeting military officers.
“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,” Gen. Musa told the Senate. “We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies… We are going to investigate fully.”
Calls for Reform and Funding
Gen. Musa highlighted several gaps within the Nigerian Armed Forces, urging the Senate to approve enhanced funding for the military. He also stressed the need for:
- Strengthened Community Engagement to improve intelligence gathering.
- Coordinated Inter-Agency Operations among security bodies.
- A renewed focus on the Safe Schools Initiative and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and banditry.
International Scrutiny
The screening session was marked by tension, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervening to insist on a thorough process, noting that both Nigerians and the international community were closely watching the confirmation.
Gen. Musa replaces Badaru Mohammed, who resigned on health grounds. He concluded his address by pledging to secure Nigeria’s territory and protect its citizens.
“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe,” he said. “The enemies we are dealing with are evil forces that don’t mean well for this country and have no respect for human lives.”
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