Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) has called for stronger collaboration between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), stressing that a united regional security framework is crucial to defeating terrorism and dismantling transnational criminal networks across West Africa.
According to an official statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, General Musa made the appeal on Monday upon his arrival in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, for a three-day working visit focused on harmonising regional defence strategies and strengthening collective security efforts.
The Defence Minister, who was received at the Cotonou International Airport by Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan, said the region’s increasingly complex security challenges require an inclusive and coordinated response from all West African nations.
He urged the leadership of ECOWAS and the AES to set aside differences and forge a common front against insurgency, noting that stronger cooperation would help prevent the spread of terrorist activities across land borders while improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
General Musa emphasised that closer collaboration among regional states would enhance intelligence sharing, improve joint military operations and deny terrorist and criminal groups the opportunity to exploit existing security gaps.
Responding, Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan, commended Nigeria for its leadership in promoting peace and stability across the sub-region. He described Nigeria as an indispensable partner in the fight against transnational crime and praised its swift interventions in defence of democratic governance within West Africa.
Agonkan also lauded the performance of the Nigerian Army contingent during Benin’s National Day parade on August 1, describing their participation as another reflection of the strong bilateral ties between both countries.
During the visit, General Musa also met with Nigerian troops stationed at Togbin, where he conveyed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to improving troop welfare, enhancing operational effectiveness and strengthening the Armed Forces’ capabilities.
The Minister later visited the Nigeria House, where he was hosted by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim. The ambassador reaffirmed that Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with Benin is centred on expanding bilateral trade and strengthening joint border surveillance to improve security cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
