The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has commenced a three-day strategic working visit to Cotonou, Benin Republic, in an effort to bridge the growing security divide between the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the Alliance of Sahel States, AES.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, disclosed that the initiative aims to work on regional fragmentation that is undermining the fight against terrorism, transnational crime and maritime insecurity across West Africa.
General Musa, who was received by Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan warned that no single country or regional organisation can independently contain the evolving terrorist threat.
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He urged ECOWAS and AES leaders to pursue practical security cooperation capable of preventing insurgent spillover across land borders while strengthening collective responses to organised criminal networks operating throughout the region.
The Minister stressed that defeating insurgent networks requires coordinated action that transcends existing political blocs, with stronger collaboration on border security, intelligence sharing, and Gulf of Guinea maritime protection.
Benin’s Defence Minister commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting regional stability, acknowledging its contributions to democratic governance, and cross-border security.
He also praised the performance of the Nigerian Army contingent during Benin’s National Day celebrations, describing Nigeria as an indispensable security partner in confronting terrorism and transnational crime.
General Musa also visited Nigerian troops deployed at Togbin, where he reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to personnel welfare, operational readiness, and capability enhancement.
He also met Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim, whose briefing highlighted Nigeria’s twin diplomatic priorities of expanding bilateral trade and strengthening joint border surveillance with the neighbouring country.
