Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called for a comprehensive border security strategy, including the fencing of the country’s boundaries, in response to the growing threat of terrorism and violence spilling over from neighboring Sahel nations.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Gen. Musa warned that Nigeria remains a prime target for militants and insurgents operating in countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, due to its perceived economic wealth and porous borders.
“Yes, I reasoned because, you know, 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,” he said.
He noted that the escalating violence in Nigeria’s neighbors poses a significant and immediate risk. He said; “If you follow the news and see the kind of killings going on in Niger, Chad, and in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali — so much. If this continues like this in the next one year, there will be issues. I know of recent there were attacks from Burkina Faso in Benin Republic. It’s just 50 kilometers to Nigeria.”
According to the CDS, ideological differences with neighboring countries make the case for fortified borders even more compelling. He said: “All around us we have countries. Our ideologies are not the same. For us to be secured, it is important. Let us fence our borders.”
Responding to concerns over cost, Musa countered with a rhetorical question: “Some people say look, it’s expensive, but I say what is money if you are dead? It’s of no use.”
He pointed to Pakistan as a model for success, highlighting their use of double wire mesh and Constantina wire to deter infiltration: “Even if you penetrate here, before you get through here, you are seen and action is taken. That has given them respite. That’s what we are looking at.”
General Musa emphasized that Nigeria already possesses the industrial capacity to produce the necessary fencing materials locally. He said; “We have Ajaokuta Steel Mill, we have Rolling Mills in Nigeria. We could engage them. We don’t need to go anywhere. We just tax them from here. They can produce what we need, and then we deploy.”
He also cited employment creation as a key benefit of the project. He said: “You see the level of employment we are going to bring in building those aspects.”
The CDS proposed starting with the most vulnerable zones, particularly the Nigeria-Niger border, where he says militants frequently cross into Nigerian territory: “The Boko Harams that are coming in from the Sahel are coming in. The ISWAP guys are coming in all through those areas. So that’s why it’s critical.”
Calling for a collaborative approach, Musa stated: “It doesn’t have to be just the federal government. It could start at every level… each state will start on its own. And before you know it, we’re there. We have a threat that we have to really, really look at. It is very critical and very important.”
