The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday, strongly condemned Canada over its decision to deny visas to Nigeria’s top military officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.
Musa and other senior military officials were scheduled to attend an event in Canada to honour war veterans but were denied entry. Speaking on the issue, the CDS expressed his disappointment, describing the situation as a lesson for Nigeria.
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing. This is a clear reminder that we must stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted,” Musa stated.
At an event in Abuja, Ribadu did not hold back his frustration over the matter. “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” he said.
The NSA acknowledged that while the decision was painful and disrespectful, it was another reason why Nigeria must work towards self-reliance. “Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong. I agree with you – it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work,” Ribadu added.
Meanwhile, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has yet to issue an official response. A senior public affairs officer at the embassy, Oluwademilade Kosemani, initially stated that a statement had been prepared but could not be released without approval.
In a related development, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has advocated for the arming of local communities to serve as the first line of defence against insecurity.
“We have to allow some level of armaments for the communities, and they can serve as the first layer of defence,” Ajayi stated. He emphasized that security agencies alone could not cover every part of the country, making it necessary for communities to take an active role in securing themselves.
“It is impossible for us to deploy to every community in the country. It is unimaginable that any security agency has such resources to do that. What we have to start experimenting with is how we can make the community the first layer of defence,” he added.
The Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab (rtd), also warned against the politicisation of security and the weaponisation of poverty by the elite.
Speaking at the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) annual lecture, Wahab stated that Nigeria’s criminal justice system encouraged impunity and called for reforms to ensure swift justice for criminal cases.
He stressed the need for innovative thinking, collaboration, and proactive strategies to address security challenges in Nigeria.
“The need for innovative thinking, collaboration, and proactive strategies has never been more urgent, especially in a world increasingly defined by complex and asymmetric threats,” Wahab said.
The lecture provided an opportunity for security experts to reflect on current challenges, share insights, and propose solutions to enhance national security.
