Nigeria's Defence Minister Visits Benin to Enhance Security

General Christopher Musa (Rtd), Nigeria's Minister of Defence, began a three-day strategic working visit to Cotonou, Benin Republic, aimed at addressing the security divide between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The initiative, as stated by Leah Katung-Babatunde, the Minister's Special Assistant on Media, seeks to combat regional fragmentation that hampers efforts against terrorism, transnational crime, and maritime insecurity in West Africa.

During the visit, General Musa met with Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan, who acknowledged Nigeria's leadership in promoting regional stability. Musa stressed that no single nation can independently tackle the evolving terrorist threats and called for practical security cooperation among ECOWAS and AES leaders.

He also visited Nigerian troops in Togbin, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to personnel welfare and operational readiness. Additionally, he met with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim, to discuss bilateral trade and joint border surveillance.