News Editor
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Chris Musa, has expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, suggesting that a physical fencing of the country’s long border stretches has become necessary and a possible solution among other strategies.
For more than a decade, Nigeria has lost thousands of lives and valuable properties to persistent insecurity, comparable only to the civil war years in the country. What’s more is that such occurrences, though, in isolated situations but are felt and happen everywhere within the length and breadth of the country and not isolated to any particular area.
General Musa emphasized that the time has come for the nation to take full control of its borders by fencing all entry and exit points.
“It is not an impossible task. Other countries have done it when faced with severe insecurity and external aggression,” the General noted.
Citing global examples, the CDS pointed out that Pakistan, which shares a 1,350-kilometre border with Afghanistan, successfully fenced its borders, a move which he said brought about lasting peace. Similarly, Saudi Arabia secured its 1,400-kilometre border with Iraq through fencing.
He noted that Nigeria, with a 1,500-kilometre border with Niger and a 1,900-kilometre border with Cameroon, has the capacity to do the same and take full control of its entry points.
General Musa’s position highlights the belief that many of the security challenges in Nigeria are perpetrated by foreign elements who gain access into the country unchecked.
According to him, fencing Nigeria’s borders would significantly improve the nation’s ability to tackle its enduring security issues.
