Just in: Senate confirms ex-CDS Musa as new Defence Minister

by · The Eagle Online

The Senate has confirmed former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence after an intensive five-hour screening session on Wednesday.

General Musa’s confirmation came just a day after President Bola Tinubu forwarded his name to the upper chamber for consideration.

Tinubu had, in a letter transmitted to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urged the lawmakers to consider the former CDS’ nomination.

The immediate past CDS opened his remarks by assuring the Senate and Nigerians of his commitment to national security.

“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,” he stated

His appearance before lawmakers followed the recent kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, amid reports that troops stationed in the area withdrew shortly before the attackers struck.

Addressing the incident during his screening, Musa said investigating the reported troop withdrawal would be one of his first tasks in office, stressing that the Nigerian military does not shy away from duty.

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“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (of government),” he said.

The minister-designate, accompanied by family members, added that the matter would be thoroughly examined.

“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,” he said.

General Musa pledged that his leadership would strengthen coordination among security institutions to confront the country’s growing security challenges.

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