Defence Minister Advocates for Unity and Security Measures

Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), Nigeria's Minister of Defence, stated that national unity and social cohesion are vital for addressing the country's security challenges. He urged citizens to overcome ethnic, religious, and regional divisions.

During the Abuja Round Table event, he proposed reintroducing modern, technology-driven tollgates on major highways, which he believes are essential for tracking criminal activities and enhancing security. Musa criticized the removal of tollgates as a strategic error and suggested that automated tolling systems could serve as effective security checkpoints.

He also called for a comprehensive national identification system that integrates unique identification numbers and biometric data to improve identity verification and intelligence gathering. Musa acknowledged the military's role in supporting civil authorities during security challenges but expressed concern over the prolonged deployment of troops for internal security.

He mentioned that the Federal Government is working to strengthen police recruitment and training to enable the police to take on greater responsibility for internal security.