Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stated that it would be beneficial for the Nigerian government to pursue the proposed initiative of constructing a border fence to hinder the easy infiltration of bandits from countries plagued by crises and to eliminate border porosity.
During a media conference held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, General Musa suggested that those who believe that erecting a border fence would be prohibitively expensive should reflect on the repercussions of maintaining a porous border, especially in light of the escalating insecurity in Benue and other regions.
He further noted that the ongoing insecurity and conflict in the Sahel nations, including Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Libya, present significant threats to Nigeria, as terrorists, bandits, and arms traffickers are likely to view Nigeria as a safe haven due to its wealth and abundant resources.
“Those who argue that constructing a border fence to shield our nation from these crisis-ridden countries and to eliminate porosity would be too costly should take lessons from nations like Pakistan, which erected a border wall separating itself from Afghanistan, a double border wall that is larger than Nigeria,” he remarked.
General Musa also emphasized that these complex threats highlight the pressing necessity for a thorough, multi-dimensional, and interdisciplinary strategy. He mentioned that the Armed Forces have fully adopted the Whole-of-Society Approach: a framework that promotes collaboration among the military, governmental bodies, and the populace as a cohesive unit in combating insecurity.
He urged Nigerians to provide sufficient intelligence and to remain vigilant regarding their surroundings, asserting that such malicious activities, if addressed promptly, could avert widespread loss of life and property.
The Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that the Army has recently obtained intelligence regarding a planned assault by armed herders targeting another community in Benue State, only to find out that the attack occurred in a different location.
“When the troops received information indicating that bandits were en route to assault various communities within the state, they mobilized and deployed to the specified areas. However, upon arrival, they discovered that the intelligence was inaccurate, and the attack had actually taken place elsewhere. This is why we consistently urge communities to share information with us.
“If you observe something, please report it to the security agencies. The criminals were provided shelter within the community. They were given food and even women prior to the attacks, yet the security agencies were not alerted,” he stated.
