Musa Urges ECOWAS, AES to Forge Alliance Against Terrorism
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has called for greater security cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to defeat terrorism, dismantle cross-border criminal networks and restore stability across West Africa.
Musa made the call on Tuesday in Cotonou, Benin Republic, where he arrived for a three-day working visit focused on harmonising regional defence strategies.
The Minister, who was received at the Cotonou International Airport by Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan, said the region’s complex security challenges required a coordinated and inclusive response.
He stressed the need for ECOWAS and AES countries to find common ground in addressing terrorism and transnational organised crime, particularly by preventing insurgent spillover across land borders and strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Musa also emphasised the importance of joint regional action to combat insurgency and secure critical land and maritime corridors across West Africa.
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Speaking during the engagement, Agonkan commended Nigeria for its strategic role in promoting stability in the sub-region, particularly its interventions aimed at safeguarding democratic governance.
He also praised the performance of the Nigerian Army contingent at Benin’s National Day parade on August 1, describing Nigeria as an indispensable partner in the fight against transnational crime.
As part of his visit, Musa met with Nigerian troops stationed at Togbin, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving their welfare, operational effectiveness and combat capabilities.
He conveyed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, to strengthening the capacity of Nigerian troops deployed in support of regional security efforts.
The Defence Minister also visited Nigeria House in Cotonou, where he was hosted by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim.
Ibrahim said Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with Benin was anchored on two major priorities: expanding bilateral trade and strengthening joint border surveillance.
The visit is expected to further deepen defence and security cooperation between Nigeria and Benin, while advancing broader regional efforts to address terrorism, transnational crime and insecurity across West Africa.
By PRNigeria
