KEY POINTS

• Nigeria, Benin deepen defence cooperation against cross-border threats.
• Both countries strengthen intelligence sharing and border security.
• Musa reaffirms Tinubu’s commitment to troops’ welfare and regional peace

Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed to deepen defence cooperation and strengthen joint security strategies aimed at tackling terrorism, banditry, trafficking and other cross-border threats across West Africa.

The agreement was reached during a three-day working visit to Cotonou by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), who held discussions with Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan.

The talks focused on improving coordination between the two countries’ security institutions, strengthening border management and developing a more effective regional response to evolving security threats.

The engagement comes amid growing concerns over the ability of criminal and extremist groups to exploit porous borders across the West African region to move personnel, weapons and other illicit materials.

Musa called for greater alignment between regional security frameworks, arguing that West African countries must work more closely to confront threats that increasingly transcend national boundaries.

The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to protecting democratic governance, stabilising their shared borders and improving security across the Gulf of Guinea, particularly against piracy and other forms of maritime crime.

A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to improve intelligence sharing between the security establishments of both countries.

According to the Nigerian Defence Ministry, the two sides agreed on the need for seamless and real-time intelligence fusion mechanisms that would enable their militaries to identify, track and disrupt transnational criminal networks and extremist cells before they launch attacks.

The proposed intelligence-sharing framework is expected to improve the ability of security agencies on both sides of the border to respond quickly to emerging threats.

Musa also reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm position against terrorism, banditry and violent extremism, urging Benin to work closely with Nigeria to prevent armed groups from establishing safe havens in border communities.

As part of efforts to strengthen border security, Nigeria offered to work with Benin on arrangements that would allow security personnel greater operational pursuit capacity around border areas.

The proposal is aimed at preventing criminals and insurgents from exploiting the international boundary to evade security forces after carrying out attacks.

For Nigeria, closer cooperation with Benin is particularly important because insecurity in one country can quickly have consequences for neighbouring states when criminal groups move across borders to escape military operations.

Musa said the two countries needed to coordinate their operations more effectively to prevent violent groups from infiltrating through their shared borders.

Joint intelligence seen as key to tackling threats

The emphasis on real-time intelligence sharing reflects the growing importance of intelligence-led security operations in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.

Rather than relying solely on military deployments after attacks have occurred, the two countries intend to improve their ability to identify threats early and intervene before criminal networks can carry out planned operations.

The cooperation could also improve the tracking of individuals and networks involved in cross-border trafficking, banditry and extremist activities.

The initiative is expected to be particularly relevant to communities located along the Nigeria-Benin border, where the movement of people and goods is an important part of local economic activity but can also create security challenges.

Beyond land borders, Nigeria and Benin also agreed to strengthen their cooperation in securing the Gulf of Guinea.

The maritime region remains strategically important to both countries because of its role in trade, shipping, fishing and energy activities.

The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to tackling piracy and other forms of maritime crime, while seeking to ensure that the Gulf remains safe for commercial and economic activities.

Improved maritime security cooperation could also contribute to broader efforts to protect shipping routes and strengthen economic activity along the West African coast.

During his visit, Musa and his delegation toured the Centre for Post Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations, known as CPADD.

The visit provided an opportunity for Nigeria to gain insight into Benin’s experience and capabilities in post-conflict demining and explosive ordnance disposal.

The Nigerian minister also visited the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone, where discussions focused on local capacity building and the broader relationship between security, technology and economic development.

The engagements were linked to Musa’s emphasis on intelligence-driven and technology-enabled defence as a major component of Nigeria’s evolving security strategy.

Nigeria and Benin also explored areas of cooperation that could contribute to economic development and regional integration in line with ECOWAS protocols and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.