By Kingsley Omonobi
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have renewed their commitment to strengthening regional security cooperation and combating terrorism, piracy and other cross-border crimes following a three-day working visit by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), to Cotonou.
The visit focused on deepening bilateral defence relations, harmonising regional security frameworks and developing joint strategies to address emerging security threats across West Africa.
During the visit, Gen. Musa called for greater coordination among regional security blocs to effectively respond to evolving security challenges, while urging regional forces to reaffirm their commitment to protecting democratic governance, securing land borders and safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea against maritime crimes.
Hosted by his Beninese counterpart, Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan, the Nigerian delegation secured commitments aimed at improving intelligence sharing, border security and operational cooperation between both countries.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, Gen. Musa urged Benin to work closely with Nigeria to prevent violent extremist groups from establishing footholds along their shared borders.
He said Nigeria’s security forces remained determined to confront terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements threatening the peace of both countries.
To strengthen border security, Nigeria offered to support measures that would enable security personnel to operate more effectively around border areas in order to prevent insurgent infiltration and illegal trafficking.
A statement by the Ministry of Defence said both countries agreed to establish seamless, real-time intelligence-sharing mechanisms to enable their militaries to track and disrupt transnational criminal networks and insurgent groups before they carry out attacks.
“The actionable intelligence pipeline will allow both militaries to track, trace and neutralise transnational criminal networks and insurgent cells before they execute operations,” the statement said.
During the visit, Gen. Musa and his delegation inspected the Centre for Post Conflict De-mining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operations (CPADD) and the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
The visits were aimed at promoting local capacity development in line with the third pillar of the minister’s defence agenda — intelligence-driven and technology-enabled defence.
The engagements also provided an opportunity for both countries to exchange ideas on industrial development and economic cooperation in line with ECOWAS trade protocols and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Gen. Musa also visited Nigerian Army troops deployed at Togbin, Cotonou, under the Peace Support Mission in Benin Republic, known as Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II.
While addressing the troops, the minister praised their efforts and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working with Beninese forces to tackle terrorism and criminal activities.
“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits and criminals that are killing people in our countries, so that we can deal with them,” he said.
He explained that his visit was aimed at strengthening operational coordination between both countries to prevent criminals from exploiting border areas.
The minister assured the troops that the Federal Government remained committed to improving their welfare and providing the necessary support to enable them carry out their duties.
“We know our job is very, very difficult, and most times people don’t appreciate what we are doing. But God knows we are doing our best, and we are securing Nigeria,” he said.
During the visit, Gen. Musa also held discussions with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to military welfare and regional peace.
The minister has since returned to Abuja after the successful completion of the visit.
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