President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as the new Defence Minister.
The former CDS took the oath of office on Thursday at the State House, according to Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
Following Mohammed Badaru Abubakar’s resignation as Defence Minister due to health reasons, President Tinubu nominated Musa and submitted his name to the Senate for screening as Abubakar’s replacement.
During his Senate screening on Wednesday, Musa addressed questions about the country’s current security challenges, assuring Nigerians that the nation can overcome insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry if there is comprehensive collaboration across all levels.
He emphasised that with the appropriate number of personnel deployed, Nigeria could defeat criminal elements by working as a united country.
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Musa urged state governors and other senior political figures to cooperate closely with the Armed Forces, while also advocating for the use of modern technology and adequate funding in the counter-terrorism effort.
“We can win this war, but we have to work together; if we collaborate, it is entirely possible. Everyone, including state governors, must be fully involved,” he told senators.
He also promised to review existing security strategies and conduct a thorough investigation into why certain operations may have been compromised.
Musa highlighted the alleged troop withdrawal from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, which preceded the abduction of 24 schoolgirls two weeks ago.