Nigeria, Benin Republic Deepen Security Cooperation to Tackle Cross-Border Threats
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and coordinated border operations, to combat terrorism, banditry, transnational crime and other emerging threats in the West African region.
The agreement was reached during a three-day working visit to Cotonou by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), who held high-level discussions with his Beninese counterpart, Gildas Agonkan, and the country’s senior military leadership.
The visit, which ended on Thursday, focused on deepening bilateral defence relations, harmonising regional security frameworks and developing joint strategies to address cross-border security challenges.
Musa and Agonkan reaffirmed their commitment to protecting democratic governance, securing land borders and strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly against piracy and other forms of organised maritime crime.
A major outcome of the discussions was an agreement to enhance intelligence sharing through what the ministry described as seamless, real-time intelligence fusion mechanisms.
According to the statement, the proposed intelligence framework would enable the two countries’ security forces to track and disrupt transnational criminal networks and insurgent groups before they execute operations.
Musa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and called for stronger cooperation to deny violent extremist organisations safe havens in border communities.
He urged Benin to work closely with Nigeria to prevent terrorists, bandits and other armed criminal groups from exploiting the countries’ shared borders.
To further strengthen border security, Nigeria proposed measures that would give security personnel greater operational latitude to pursue criminal elements across border areas, subject to appropriate bilateral arrangements.
The minister said such cooperation was necessary to prevent the spillover of insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities across national boundaries.
Read Also:
During the visit, Musa also inspected Nigerian Army personnel deployed in Togbin, Cotonou, as part of the Peace Support Mission in Benin Republic under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II.
Addressing the troops, the minister said Nigeria would work with Beninese forces to prevent criminal elements from using the countries’ borders as escape routes or operational corridors.
“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits, all those criminals that are killing people in our own countries,” Musa said.
He added that one of the objectives of his visit was to engage the Beninese defence authorities on how both countries could coordinate their operations to prevent criminal infiltration through the borders.
Musa also assured the troops of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving their welfare and providing the resources required for them to effectively discharge their duties.
“A lot of good things that Mr President is preparing for you, we are following up to ensure that you live very well. We are providing the necessary aspects so that you can do your job,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the difficulties associated with military service, stressing that the government recognised the sacrifices being made by security personnel in protecting the country.
As part of efforts to promote technology-driven defence and local capacity development, Musa and his delegation visited the Centre for Post Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations (CPADD) as well as the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
The Ministry of Defence said the visits were aimed at exploring opportunities for capacity building, technology development and industrial collaboration between Nigeria and Benin.
The engagements also provided an opportunity for both countries to exchange ideas on industrial development in line with ECOWAS trade protocols and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The ministry said the engagements were consistent with Musa’s emphasis on intelligence-driven and technology-enabled defence as a key pillar of his administration’s approach to national security.
Musa also held diplomatic discussions with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mrs Mopelola Ibrahim, during the visit.
The minister reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of military personnel and the promotion of regional peace and stability.
Musa subsequently departed Cotonou and returned to Abuja at the conclusion of the three-day working visit.
