KEY POINTS

• Nigeria will not allow anyone to use its borders to launch attacks on neighboring nations.
• Military will operate against any community that aids or assists criminals.
• Regional cooperation is still a priority.

Nigeria’s borders will not be used as bases for attacks on other countries, says Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

Musa, speaking at Christmas luncheon with soldiers of ‘Operation Fansan Yamma’ in Sokoto, added that the military remained ready ‘to respond to security situation’ and ensure ‘regional peace.’

“There will be no foreign military base on Nigeria’s soil.” ‘We do have the capability and capacity to deal with our security challenges,’ Musa said in Nigeria’s commitment to mutual security with neighbours, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Togo.

Military vigilance and a united region

According to Musa, those actors who use Nigerian territory to destabilize the neighbouring country are enemies of Nigeria. He said that if any community shelters criminals, that community should been up to military operations.

But, he said, ‘we respect human rights, but when it comes to national security we will act firmly’, and appealed to citizens to back its efforts against groups ‘who seek to mislead the people by inciting religious or ethnic sentiments’.

Gen. Musa who praised President Bola Tinubu for his ‘ steadfast support for the Armed Forces ‘, also thanked Sokoto Governor Ahmad Aliyu for the assistance given to the military.

‘We reaffirm our loyalty to the Constitution and our commitment to defending our fatherland. The commander said during the visit to the troops, “You displayed professionalism, and we are proud of it.”

Maj. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, described the occasion as a time to remember the efforts and achievements of the troops towards the collective dedicated of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the security of the country.