Nigeria, Benin Forge Stronger Security Alliance Against Cross-Border Threats

Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed to deepen defence cooperation and strengthen joint security operations to tackle terrorism, banditry, trafficking, piracy and other transnational crimes threatening peace and stability in West Africa.

The commitment was reached during a three day working visit to Cotonou by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), OFR, at the invitation of his Beninese counterpart, Minister of National Defence, Mr Gildas Agonkan.

The visit focused on strengthening bilateral defence relations, harmonising regional security frameworks and developing coordinated strategies to prevent criminal and extremist groups from exploiting the shared border between the two countries.

According to a statement by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Defence, General Musa, during separate engagements with Minister Agonkan and the Beninese high military command, called for greater alignment among regional security blocs to confront the changing security challenges across West Africa.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to protecting democratic governance, securing land borders and strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly against piracy and other forms of maritime crime.

A key outcome of the discussions was an agreement to enhance intelligence sharing through seamless and real-time intelligence fusion mechanisms.

The arrangement, according to the statement, is expected to enable the security forces of both countries to track, trace and disrupt transnational criminal networks and insurgent cells before they carry out attacks.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, General Musa urged Benin to work closely with Nigeria to deny violent extremist organisations access to safe havens along the countries’ common border.

The minister declared that Nigeria’s security forces would continue to intensify operations against terrorists, bandits and armed criminal elements threatening the country.

As part of efforts to strengthen border security, Nigeria also proposed granting security personnel wider operational pursuit range around border areas to prevent insurgent infiltration, illegal trafficking and other cross-border criminal activities.

General Musa and his delegation also visited the Centre for Post Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations (CPADD) and the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ).

The visits, according to the statement, were aimed at promoting local capacity development in line with the minister’s third operational pillar of intelligence-driven and technology-enabled defence.

The engagements also provided an opportunity for Nigeria and Benin to exchange ideas on defence technology, industrial development and economic cooperation, in line with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

During the visit, General Musa inspected Nigerian Army troops deployed in Togbin, Cotonou, as part of the Peace Support Mission in Benin under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II.

Addressing the troops, the minister assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to their welfare and the provision of the necessary support and equipment to enable them perform their duties effectively.

He urged the troops to remain committed to their mission and assured them that Nigeria would continue to work closely with the Beninese military to prevent terrorists and criminals from exploiting the countries’ borders.

“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits, all those criminals that are killing people in our own countries,” Musa said.

He added that his engagement with the Beninese Defence Minister was aimed at developing coordinated operations capable of preventing criminal elements from infiltrating either country through their shared borders.

The minister also conveyed assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel.

“A lot of good things that Mr President is preparing for you, we are following up to ensure that you live very well. We are providing the necessary aspects so that you can do your job,” he told the troops.

General Musa further acknowledged the sacrifices of the military, noting that despite the difficulties associated with their duties, the Armed Forces remained committed to securing Nigeria.

The minister also held diplomatic talks with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mrs Mopelola Ibrahim, during which he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to military welfare, stronger bilateral relations and regional peace.

General Musa and his delegation have since returned to Abuja following the conclusion of the three-day working visit.