Defence chief calls for overhaul of legal system, stronger border security to tackle terrorism
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s legal system and strengthened regional security cooperation to effectively combat terrorism and transnational crimes.
Musa made the call while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday night.
He said the military’s frustration in prosecuting terror financiers and other terrorism-related cases stemmed from slow and complex legal processes that often embolden perpetrators.
“The legal system is a bit frustrating. We need to unbundle it, make it faster and more stringent. Once people realise they cannot get away with anything, it will change the dynamics of terrorism financing and impunity,” Musa said.
He revealed that Nigeria inherited a long list of terror financiers from the previous administration, noting that while prosecutions had begun, international legal hurdles were slowing down progress.
According to him, some of the financiers maintain safe havens in foreign countries, with investigations pointing to funds and weapons flowing into Nigeria from abroad.
On the proliferation of arms in the Sahel, the defence chief said the collapse of Libya and ongoing crises in Sudan created a vast ungoverned space where terrorists access weapons through open markets.
“Since Libya fell, our disaster started. The Sahel is open; you can buy any kind of ammunition in those markets. Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso are all struggling with the spillover, and the terrorists see Nigeria as their main target because of its size and resources,” he said.
Musa stressed that Nigeria’s porous borders, stretching over 4,000 kilometres, posed a major challenge, especially along the North-East and North-West corridor spanning about 1,500 kilometres.
He, however, assured that Nigeria was working with neighbouring countries and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to strengthen joint security operations.
“We are collaborating with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Benin Republic. Recently, when Benin was attacked, we had to deploy our aircraft to support them. If anything happens to them, it will eventually affect us. Nigeria is not just safeguarding itself; we are also helping to stabilise our neighbours,” he said.
The CDS also cautioned against unchecked inflow of foreign elements, citing the infiltration of Boko Haram and other extremist groups in the past.
“We should never allow any foreigner an inch of our land for whatever reason. Nigerians are accommodating, but security must come first,” Musa warned.
