The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said Nigeria stands to lose a lot if Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso do not return to democratic rule.

Following the military takeovers, the three countries exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023.

Speaking at the weekend on Prime Time, a programme of ARISE NEWS Channel, General Musa said leadership failure in the three countries will have a direct impact on Nigeria.

“As I said, we have issues of poverty in West Africa – a lot of governance issues, challenges with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are taking a lot of heat, and that is because the areas are large; there is a lot of poverty within those areas; climate change is one major issue on the ground, and lack of political will is causing these issues,” Musa said.

“And those are the things trying to pour into Nigeria. Whatever effort we are making, as long as these things are there, it is going to be a challenge.

“The truth about it is that, especially for these three countries, they must get their leadership right, and then they can do a lot. And, that is why for us in Nigeria, we have a lot to lose if they do not get it right —they must have a democratic system that will be able to assist them in making decisions that will help the country.”

Musa said the federal government is making efforts to strengthen border management between Nigeria and the three countries to avert security threats.

Speaking on the latest global terrorism index, the CDS said that although the report placed Nigeria in the sixth position, there has been significant improvement in security in the country.

“And that is why the federal government is moving up, to make sure that we have a very wonderful border management system because we have to protect our borders,” he said.

“I will not speak for West Africa; I will speak for Nigeria. In 2024, we had the least number of attacks within the country. Things are improving. Yes, we still have isolated issues. But I can tell you the troops are putting in their best.

“If you move around the country, you would see that a lot of things have improved; farmers are going back to their farms, there is a lot of peace. Nigerians know that things are improving; we need to join hands together to do more.

“Like I said, we have issues of poverty in West Africa, a lot of governance issues, challenges with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are taking a lot of heat, and that is because the areas are large; there is a lot of poverty within those areas, climate change is one major issue on the ground, and lack of political will is causing these issues,” Musa said.

“And those are the things trying to pour into Nigeria. Whatever effort we are making, as long as these things are there, it is going to be a challenge.

“The truth about it is that, especially for these three countries, they must get their leadership right, and then they can do a lot. And, that is why for us in Nigeria, we have a lot to lose if they do not get it right —they must have a democratic system that will be able to assist them in making decisions that will help the country,” he added.

Musa said the federal government is making efforts to strengthen border management between Nigeria and the three countries to avert security threats.

The Pan Delta Forum (PANDEF) youth wing has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, to retract his disparaging remarks against the Ijaw nation and PANDEF leaders.

According to the youth wing’s national president, Doben Donyegha, Wike’s remarks were embarrassing and annoying, especially coming less than 24 hours after PANDEF’s delegation met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Donyegha also called on President Tinubu to sack Wike from his cabinet, stating that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him.

Furthermore, Donyeha urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate Wike over allegations of land-grabbing activities in the FCT.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged soldiers to brace up in order to secure Nigerians better and tackle insurgency in the South-West.

Oluyede made this known on Friday while addressing soldiers during his maiden operational visit to 32 Artillery Brigade Owena Cantonment, Akure.

The COAS, who said that Nigeria was facing with different security challenges, said there was need for all personnel and officers to rise up collectively and stop the menace.

“We are doing our best with other sister agencies and other security agencies to bring these challenges to the bare minimum.

“I want to tell you this afternoon that the entire Nigerian state, the entire Nigerian people are depending on you to bring all these challenges to an end.

“If there is no security, there can’t be development. So, whether you like it or not, it’s affecting you and I.

“The money the government is spending on security is so huge that if we can make Nigerians better secured, those monies can be channeled to make the lives of all Nigerians better.

“Nigerians are looking up to us to make things better. So what that means is that you must be ready to double your efforts, to work harder,” he said.

Oluyede, who promised to ensure the welfare of the soldiers and officers, said that he would do his best to make things better.

According to him, there is a plan to build houses for soldiers across the formations to ensure they have a place to live when retired from the service.

“As we speak, we plan to produce at least 100,000 uniforms every month. So the first set is going to be split between 81 Div and 2 Div, and that will be done tomorrow,

“You must be ready to face the challenges. As we are pursuing the criminals from the north, we have realised that some of them are coming down from the South-West.

“What does that mean? What does that tell you? That work is coming. And it is better you nip it in the bud than allow it to grow. Once it grows, it becomes a monster.

“We don’t want another North-East. Neither do we want another North-West. So you must brace up to that challenge,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlights of the event include the gun drill display of 35mm Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft (AA). (NAN)