The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called for the fencing of Nigeria’s borders as a critical step toward addressing the country’s growing insecurity.
In an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, June 19, Musa warned that terrorists are exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders, bringing in arms and fighters, and in some cases, deploying advanced surveillance equipment such as drones.“Having gone through my analysis and looking at the Sahel, the main attraction to all these terrorists and bandits is Nigeria, because this perception that Nigeria is a rich country. And that there’s no law to prevent them from getting there. And the borders are porous.
For us to be secure, it is important. Let us fence our borders. Some people say, look, it’s expensive. But I say, what is money if you are dead? It’s of no use.”Musa proposed that fencing should begin with high-risk zones like the Niger-Nigeria border, supported by wire mesh, surveillance drones, and domestically produced materials, such as steel from Ajaokuta, to also stimulate local industry and job creation.
His remarks come amid rising violence in Benue State, where over 150 people were killed in a recent massacre in Yelwata community.
The Chief of Defence Staff also confirmed the arrest of some persons in connection with last weekend’s attack in Yelwata.“The police has arrested a number of people. And actions have been taken.
Investigations are ongoing with the DSS, the police. You know, it takes a lot. So, because we are lower abiding individuals, so we have to be sure of what we’re doing. And I think that’s a critical aspect. All the security forces are working together to ensure that this stops.