Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has voiced deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the Sahel region, warning that if the crises in neighboring countries are not urgently addressed, Nigeria could be the next to face serious threats.
In a video posted by TV Platinum, General Musa pointed to the fragile conditions in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, describing the region as being under immense strain. “The Sahel is burning. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are experiencing severe instability. If we don’t intervene and they continue down this path, I fear that within six months to a year, these states could collapse—and once that happens, Nigeria becomes the next target,” he stated.
The Defense Chief stressed the importance of collective regional efforts and early intervention to prevent the spread of chaos into Nigerian territory. He highlighted the danger posed by extremist factions and armed militias that are already taking advantage of weak governance structures in the Sahel. These groups, he warned, could redirect their activities toward Nigeria if the situation worsens.
Security experts support General Musa’s assessment, noting that the ongoing turmoil in the Sahel has already resulted in a surge in weapons smuggling, cross-border insurgency, and forced migrations. A total collapse of any Sahelian state, analysts argue, could leave a power vacuum that would embolden terrorist networks near Nigeria’s northern frontier.
While the Nigerian military is enhancing its intelligence-gathering and working closely with regional counterparts, the CDS urged political leaders, global allies, and citizens alike to take the looming threat seriously and act decisively.
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