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Tag: Gen Christopher Musa

  • Musa inaugurated, pledges to repay citizens’ love with results

    Musa inaugurated, pledges to repay citizens’ love with results

    • Job of restoring security nomalcy in good hands, says Kukah

    With a pledge to repay the overwhelming acceptance of his appointment as Defence Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gen Christopher Musa yesterday took his oath of office at the State House Abuja before the President.

    Speaking to reporters after his inauguration, Musa pledged to ensure a safer and more secure Nigeria.

    He said the outpouring of goodwill from citizens since his nomination had strengthened his resolve to deliver results.

    The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) said Nigerians should look forward to a future where they go about their daily lives without fear of criminal elements.

    “I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work, whatever it takes, to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.

    According to him, his immediate priority would be to reinvigorate the defence architecture and strengthen collaboration among all security agencies.

    “My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country. The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies, and all Nigerians being carried along, as we have always said, security is everybody’s responsibility.

    “It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on, and that’s what we’re going to do. I can assure you, within the shortest possible time Nigerians will see results,” the minister added.

    On his briefing with Tinubu, Musa said the President was unequivocal in his directive that Nigeria must be secured to enable citizens lead normal lives again.

    “He reiterated that we must make sure Nigeria is secured. Nigerians should go back and sleep with their eyes closed, go back to their farms, schools open without being molested,” Musa told reporters.

    Read Also: Tinubu hails Senate for swift confirmation of Ex-CDS Musa as Defence Minister

    The minister said all efforts going forward, will align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at creating a secure environment for economic growth, education, agriculture, and community life.

    The ceremony was attended by senior government officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    Also present were Gen Musa’s wife, Mrs. Lilian Oghogho; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, and retired Supreme Court Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.

    President Tinubu, through his verified X account, hailed the Senate for its “expedited confirmation” of Musa, whose appointment he described as timely and crucial to the nation’s security needs.

    Kukah: Job of restoring normalcy in good hands

    Commending Tinubu’s choice of Musa to head the Defence Ministry, Kukah noted that the job of restoring normalcy and security across Nigeria was in “very good hands”.

    The Bishop said the combination of President Tinubu’s clear resolve and General Musa’s experience provides renewed hope for stabilising the nation.

    “We just need restoration of normalcy in this country by any means possible, and I think that this job is in very good hands. It does seem very clearly that the President wants to reposition issues of security, and I think the situation is in very good hands,” Kukah said.

    According to him, he attended the event in dual capacity- as representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, and as a Son of Southern Kaduna like the new minister.

    He conveyed the Sultan’s greetings and goodwill to Musa.

    Supporting the General’s position on the need for stricter punishment for terorrists, Kukah harped on the urgency and seriousness needed to confront insecurity.

    “We are on all fours as far as that is concerned. Rain, thunder, sunshine, whatever it takes to get this mess under control. These guys need to be flushed out. Normalcy needs to return to our country.” Laughter and joy have to come back to Nigeria within the shortest time possible”, he stressed.

    The Bishop urged Nigerians to continue to support efforts aimed at ending insecurity, adding “all we do is to pray for the best” as the new minister takes on the national assignment.

  • Bandits, criminals will be defeated with concerted efforts, says Gen. Musa

    Bandits, criminals will be defeated with concerted efforts, says Gen. Musa

    Only a concerted effort by all Nigerians will enable the country to defeat terrorists and bandits, Defence Minister-designate, Gen Christopher Musa said yesterday.

    He spoke during a five-hour screening session before the Senate, which dissolved into Committee of the Whole, shared by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to undertake the responsibility.

    The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) said: “If we do not work together, we will give them the opportunity to continue their evil acts. We must love one another, understand that the challenges we face are national challenges, not just for the armed forces. Nigerians must put hands together to defeat the enemy…

    “Nigeria is great. Nobody can intimidate us. We are one people. The world knows Nigeria is great, and it will continue to be great.

    “The Sahel is heating up, and you can see what they are doing to Mali. Our border must be secured, and our security forces must be enforced and supported.” 

    He expressed gratitude to the National Assembly and President Tinubu for the support he received as CDS.

    Senator Akpabio hailed Musa’s nomination, describing him as a professional who performed exceptionally as CDS.

    “Musa was known for answering calls “at any time of the day about any problem anywhere in Nigeria,” Akpabio noted.

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    The Senate President also praised Tinubu for restoring security in Monguno after 15-year insurgency.

    Other senators applauded Musa’s role in stabilising the Southwest in collaboration with regional leaders.

    They urged him to replicate the model in other troubled regions.

    Senator Mohammed Monguno from Borno North, recalling security improvements under Musa’s leadership, said he now sleeps in Monguno whenever he visited, an act he couldn’t dare in the past.

    Senator Ahmad Lawan, Chairman of the Defence Committee, described Musa as “highly professional, patriotic and firm”, urging the Senate to provide adequate funding to enable him succeed.

    “No investment in our armed forces is too much. Let’s give them what they need so they don’t operate in a vacuum,” Lawan said.

    Although some Senators wanted to accord him the no questions courtesies after his address, others refused, insisting there were many concerning security issues.

    Among such issues was the over 200 abducted school kids still being held in the bush; the capture and gruesome murder of Brig. Gen. Uba, and the withdrawal of troops 30 minutes before kidnappers attacked a school in the Maga, Kebbi State.

    Senator Orji Uzor Kalu asked about the military’s technological shortcomings, querying why soldiers still confronted criminals armed with superior weapons.

    Senator Ali Ndume raised concerns over premature retirement of young, well-trained officers, which he described as a “waste of talent”.

    General Musa reassured Nigerians of a firm, coordinated and accountable security posture.

    “We will not stand by and see terrorists have the capacity to capture a brigade commander. We will investigate fully. No indolence or cowardice will be entertained. All those found culpable will face the law,” he said.

    The retired General condemned the mysterious withdrawal of soldiers before the Maga school abduction, saying: “It is unacceptable. We will investigate and ensure those responsible face appropriate action.”

    Musa said his 39 years of military experience had exposed him to the depth of Nigeria’s security challenges.

    He pledged to undertake a full review of operations from day one.

    He noted existing gaps in the armed forces, especially in technology, logistics and inter-agency coordination, warning that without adequate funding, success would be extremely difficult.

    Calling for legal reforms to hasten justice delivery and deter criminals, Musa said: “When punishment is swift, it serves as deterrence. We must modernise our laws.”

    Senator Akpabio said the red chamber had introduced a bill classifying kidnapping as terrorism, with death sentence as penalty.

    “We want to give you the enabling framework. If they are not deterred, they will face death sentence,” he said.

    Gen. Musa condemned ransom payment to bandits, which he described as undesirable.

    He also frowned at negotiations with those who abduct fellow Nigerians for monetary advantage.

    He identified some ‘lacuna’ in the relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command. He promised a return to the federal lawmakers as soon as he resumed to proposed legislation that could smoothen the working relationship.

    After summing up the proceedings, the retired military officer was allowed to take a bow and step out of the Red Chamber.

    The question of whether to clear him for the position or not was put by the Senate President. It received overwhelming endorsement.