By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was on Thursday sworn-in as the country’s new Minister of Defence, a key appointment that has been largely applauded in the West African nation facing a raft of mass abduct and killings.
General Christopher Musa (retd.) took his oath of office at the Presidenti Villa.
The Senate had on Wednesday screened and confirmed Musa as Minister of Defence following a rigorous five-hour questioning on the ideas he is bringing on board to douse tension.
He provided answers to the recent escalation in security lapses, controversial withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria shortly before schoolgirls were abducted on November 17.
He vowed to “immediately set up a full-scale investigation” into the withdrawal of the troops when he assumes office as the Minister.
Musa also vowed to probe the killing of a top military officer, Brigade Commander Brig-Gen. Musa Uba in Borno State, North East Nigeria along with other attacks on senior military officers.
He was nominated by President Bola Tinubu following the resignation of former Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, who announced his exit from the cabinet on health grounds.
Musa is a former Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the North-East counter-insurgency, and later served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, coordinating joint operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP and bandit networks before his retirement this October.
President Tinubu at the brief but solemn ceremony, charged the new minister to bring his extensive operational experience, strategic depth, and institutional knowledge of the Armed Forces to bear in strengthening Nigeria’s defence posture.
The President emphasised that the defence ministry under Musa’s leadership must prioritise synergy among the services, accelerate reforms, and sustain momentum in ongoing joint operations.
