The Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following a screening session that lasted more than three hours.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the confirmation after a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole, congratulating Musa and urging him to deploy his expertise in the fight against criminal activity across the country.
During his screening, Musa took a firm stance against negotiating with bandits, insisting that such engagements only embolden criminal groups.
“We must stop negotiating with bandits,” he declared, adding that the Defence Ministry under his leadership would prioritise dislodging armed groups operating nationwide.
The former Defence Chief also criticised the deradicalisation programme for ex–Boko Haram members, arguing that individuals responsible for violence should face punitive measures rather than reintegration without consequences.
Musa highlighted several challenges facing Nigeria’s security architecture, including delays in prosecuting suspects, continued reliance on imported military equipment, and the need for increased funding for military operations.
He stressed the importance of strengthening border security and urged Nigerians to remain united in confronting the nation’s insecurity.
The screening briefly became rowdy when some lawmakers argued that the nominee should be allowed to “take a bow and go” without answering questions, but the session continued.
Musa’s confirmation came just a day after President Bola Tinubu nominated him and amid rising concerns over mass abductions across the country.
The development follows the recent kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, shortly after troops reportedly withdrew from the area. Musa said he would investigate the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.
He also referenced alarming data from the National Bureau of Statistics, which reported N2.23 trillion in ransom payments made between May 2023 and April 2024.
According to him, ransom payments must stop, and strict tracking of ransom funds, along with enhanced technological tools, is essential for improving security efforts.
Musa reiterated that negotiations with criminal groups compromise national security, enabling them to regroup and acquire more weapons.
He vowed that the Defence Ministry would work closely with security agencies and government bodies to address insecurity in a more coordinated manner.
