iDeemlawfulThe Senate has confirmed the nomination of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence after a five-hour screening session with lawmakers on Wednesday.
General Musa, who recently concluded his tenure as CDS, was approved by the Senate following his appearance in the chamber, a day after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted his name for ministerial appointment.
During the session, Musa said one of his immediate priorities would be to investigate reports concerning the alleged withdrawal of troops, noting that the military “is not known for cowardice.”
“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (of government),” he said.
“We are going to investigate fully. The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”
Musa, nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday following the resignation of Defence Minister Badaru Mohammed due to health reasons, pledged firm commitment to safeguarding lives and protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe.
“We need the support of everyone, every Nigerian, working together as a team, because it’s going to be a team effort.
“The enemies we are dealing with are evil forces that don’t mean well for this country and have no respect for human lives… If we don’t work together, we will allow them to perpetrate the evil acts they have been doing,” he said.
His confirmation comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country, including kidnappings, insurgent attacks, and mass abductions. One recent incident involved the kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, with reports indicating that troops departed the area shortly before the gunmen struck.
