*** As Musa Vows that he will have Zero tolerance for Terrorism, will not pay or encourage the payment of Ransom
*** Governors should be stopped from Stop Negotiating with Bandits, FG should stop Illegal Mining
*** As Trouble Looms for Military Saboteurs, vows to launch a full-scale investigation into the killing of Brigadier General Uba
ABUJA- THE Senate has confirmed the nomination of
Immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence.
The confirmation yesterday via a voice vote was after five hours of a rigorous screening session in the Committee of the Whole, during which he was asked questions by the lawmakers, just as the Senate screened and confirmed him, the day the letter of his nomination by President Bola Tinubu was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Musa who started addressing the Senators at 2.15pm, answered questions, stopped at 4.29 and left the hallowed Chamber at 4.42pm.
His screening came at the time of heightened insecurity in Nigeria, with mass abductions, especially in schools, becoming commonplace. One such incident was the kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, with reports that troops left just before the assailants stormed the school.
Tension rose in the Senate as lawmakers objected to attempts to conclude the screening of Musa as the new Minister of Defence, and allow him to take a bow.
After several minutes of disruptions, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged the lawmakers to remain calm.
Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East had urged the Senate to allow the former service chief to take a bow and leave after responding to a few questions.
But those opposed to the idea insisted that the ministerial nominee must be subjected to more rigorous questioning.
The chamber became rowdy as senators stood in defiance, demanding further engagement with the nominee.
After several minutes of disruptions, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, rose, an action which, according to the rule book, signifies a call for order.
He urged the lawmakers to remain calm, underscoring that the purpose of the session was to ask questions that would reassure Nigerians during a period of heightened insecurity.
The Senate President, therefore, urged the nominee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal of soldiers from the Kebbi school where the recent abduction of schoolgirls took place.
While answering questions from the lawmakers, the Minister of Defence designate who vowed that he will have Zero tolerance for Terrorism, said that he will not pay or encourage the payment of ransom to bandits when people are kidnapped, However, General Musa said Nigeria “must stop ransom payments” and in situations where such is done, “we can track the monies being paid,” emphasizing the use of technology in the fight against insecurity.
“The use of technology is very important. Like I said, if are able to have a database – every Nigerian has a number linked to everything you have electronically – we can monitor everything.”
He asked state Governors must be stopped without delay negotiating with Bandits and Criminals, insisting that it “comprises security”. According to him, such a move gives the assailants time to regroup and also buy weapons, which they use in attacking communities.
He also said that as part of moves to nip in the bud, cases of armed banditry in the country, the Federal Government should stop Illegal mining.
General Musa said that one of the first things he would do is to probe the alleged withdrawal of the troops, insisting that the military is not known for cowardice.
He said, “We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (of government),” the minister, dressed in a brown kaftan and a hula (cap), said at the event attended by his family members, among others.
“We are going to investigate fully. The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”
General Musa, also vowed to launch a full-scale investigation into the killing of Brigadier General Uba, describing the incident as unacceptable and a painful reflection of gaps within the nation’s security architecture.
The nominee also highlighted the need to improve accountability within the armed forces while calling for full cooperation and coordination among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He said many agencies were not operating at full capacity and must harmonise their roles with one another and with neighbouring countries, given the transnational nature of terrorism.
He warned that Nigeria had more to lose if security institutions failed to work together, noting that terrorists often perceive the country as rich and therefore a prime target.
Speaking passionately about the recent abduction and public display of General Uba by terrorists, Musa said the incident was an embarrassment to the nation and the military.
“It is very unfortunate for a brigade commander to be captured and shown the way they did. It’s painful. We will not stand by and see terrorists have the capacity to do such,” he said.
He assured Senators and Nigerians that the military, in collaboration with security agencies and oversight committees, would get to the root of the matter.
Gen. Musa emphasised that both the Senate and the armed forces have initiated inquiries, stressing that no act of indolence or cowardice among personnel would be tolerated.
“We are going to investigate fully. No indolence, no act of cowardice will be entertained. Commanders and troops must be professional,” he stated.
He noted that several questions must be answered, including why the abducted general seemed to be without adequate troop protection.
On Security lapses in communities, Gen. Musa who expressed concern over repeated attacks in areas like Maga shortly after troops vacated, described it as “unacceptable.”
He said all those found culpable in security lapses would face the law.
He highlighted his years of military experience, asserting that he understands the depth of Nigeria’s security challenges and what is required to fix them.
“We know what we need. From day one, we will monitor and review all operations. Where things have gone wrong, we will correct them. We need to look at it critically and make sure the approach is holistic.
“Crime is localised, and security agencies cannot be everywhere. Communities must be resilient and capable of being first responders.”
Musa pledged strict oversight of military activities, improved intelligence handling, and rapid operational response.
Musa who had been in service for 39 years before his retirement said that while he was the Chief of Defence Staff ” it was a defining moment for me.
“I pledge to give my best to ensure that Nigeria is safe. We need the support of all Nigerians. The terrorists are the enemies of Nigeria; they have no respect for human life.
“We must first love one another. I assure you we will work united as when I was the CDS. We cannot win the war until we are determined.
“The Sahel is hitting up. Our borders must be secured, security agencies must be supported. Nigeria is great. We will never be ashamed. We are one people,” he said.
Musa described the frequent abduction of students as “very unfortunate,” noting that in spite of the rollout of the Safe School Initiative last year, many schools remain highly vulnerable.
He lamented the absence of basic security infrastructure in many schools, saying, “Most schools have been built, but when you visit them, there is no perimeter fence. They are left exposed,” he said.
Musa also identified communication gaps as a major setback in preventing kidnappings, stressing the need to adopt technology that enhances information sharing and early response.
“Information conveyance has been an issue. A whole-of-society approach is needed—technology, the armed forces, the police, other security agencies, and the communities working together.”
Answering a question posed by former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Musa pledged to ensure strict oversight of defense funds if confirmed.
“Whatever funds are made available must be properly utilised. We must ensure that whatever we procure truly supports our armed forces in carrying out their duties.”
He insisted that improved accountability would significantly enhance the military’s operational capacity.
Musa cautioned against placing all expectations on the armed forces, arguing that military operations alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
He said, “One mistake we make is thinking the armed forces can solve all the problems.
“The military solution is just 20 to 25 per cent. Effective policy and support from ministries, departments and agencies are essential.”
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio who thanked the president for the appointment, said, “We urge you to go straight into action assist us in tackling the insecurity of the country.
“Even when I was a state governor, I never negotiated with terrorists. I made the state so hot that each time we arrested a kidnapper, he would say, please forgive me, I didn’t know you were part of your state.
“We also need the cooperation of all Nigerians. I want to thank you once again for that non-negotiation policy, please also advise the commander in chief, because most of the people you are negotiating with are laden with drugs.
“They are soaked with drugs, they don’t go for operation with their normal eyes, so they don’t go to any negotiation with normal eyes, they don’t intend to keep to whatever agreement. they only want to buy time to come back and strike and then. The kinetic and non-kinetic approach or approaches that you said. you’ve noticed that even when you release them to the society it does not take two weeks before they are re-arrested for the same crime.
“There is need to review the policy of kinetic and non kinetic approaches. Iam not against anything that will bring peace but i’m also against something that will continue to encourage people to go eat money from government after they’ve been arrested you waste a lot of money to arrest them sometimes you waste lives to even get one or two criminals but when you bring them you don’t say you are trying to re-radicalize them then you go and put them inside a camp and then after that you take them to gombe and give them uniform and then monthly allowances the way you release them it doesn’t take three weeks .
“And it’s always a thing, it’s something that demoralizes the society. Where somebody who has killed over 20, 30 people is said to have been re-radicalized. And then the community sees the person coming.
“A typical Nigerian community would never accept such a person. And they would be running away from that person. And he would get depressed and go back into the same place. So let’s face it. Let’s face it.
“A kidnapper is a kidnapper. Once they are arrested, this Senate is of the opinion that we should face the capital punishment so that the society can be kept safe. Many countries have done that. In Nigeria, it’s a sign of weakness for us to arrest kidnappers and keep them and feed them.
“Release them and give them uniform and give them allowances and say that we have changed them. so so as a Minister of defense please advise the commander-in-Chief.”
Prior to the screening exercise, the Senate suspended some of the items in Wednesday’s Order Paper to begin the screening of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence
The process to begin the screening came up following a motion by the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central and seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South.
The Senate resolved to the Committee of the Whole, just as the President of the Senate as he was asked to introduce himself.
While introducing himself, General Musa who described the terrorists as evil forces that do not mean this country well, said that all hands must be deck by everyone if the war against them must be won.
According him, the nation’s borders are porous and they must be protected.
ENDS
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