The Senate on Wednesday confirmed retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence after an intense five-hour screening that tested his readiness to confront the nation’s worsening security challenges.
Lawmakers subjected Musa to probing questions over recent security lapses, including the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls on November 17 — an incident that provoked nationwide outrage.
Musa assured the Senate that one of his first actions upon assumption of office would be to order a full-scale investigation into the circumstances behind the troop withdrawal.
He also pledged to probe the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno State, as well as other deadly attacks on military personnel.
“It is very unfortunate and really painful,” he said. “I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and have terrorists develop the capacity to do such. We are going to go after them fully, working together with all security agencies and MDAs. We are going to investigate fully.”
He further stated that the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence would intensify oversight to prevent such incidents, stressing gaps that must be urgently addressed.
During the session, the nominee highlighted the need for enhanced funding, stronger community engagement and better inter-agency coordination. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding schools through the Safe Schools Initiative and maintaining a zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism and banditry.
Tension briefly flared in the chamber when Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) suggested the nominee be allowed to “take a bow and go,” drawing protests from lawmakers, including Senator Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, insisting on a thorough screening, noting that Nigerians and the international community were closely monitoring the process.
Musa, nominated by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday following the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru on health grounds, vowed to prioritise the protection of lives and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe,” he told lawmakers. “We need the support of everyone because it’s going to be a team effort. The enemies we’re dealing with are evil forces with no respect for human life. If we don’t work together, we will allow them to perpetrate more evil.”
His confirmation comes at a time of rising insecurity marked by kidnappings, insurgency and mass abductions across the country.
