‘Whatever It Takes, We’ll Secure Nigeria’, Says New Defence Minister Musa

Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has vowed to deliver rapid, measurable improvements in national security, assuring citizens that the armed forces under his leadership will take “whatever steps are necessary” to restore peace across the country.

Musa spoke at the Presidential Villa on Thursday shortly after President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office on him.

The former Chief of Defence Staff was nominated on Tuesday and thereafter confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru on health grounds.

Addressing State House correspondents, the new defence minister said his immediate priority was to strengthen synergy within the military and deepen collaboration with other security agencies, stressing that security cannot be achieved without collective effort from citizens and operatives alike.

“My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country,” he said. “We need synergy between the armed forces, synergy with other security agencies, and synergy with all Nigerians. Security is everybody’s responsibility. We will build on that, work on it, and I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results.”

Musa expressed appreciation for the support he has received from Nigerians since leaving office as CDS, promising to repay the confidence reposed in him with hard results.

“Nigerians have shown me love,” he said. “I guarantee them that I will work — whatever it takes — to ensure that Nigeria is secured.”

On the fresh directives issued by President Tinubu, Musa said the President emphasised the need for Nigerians to feel safe again in every part of the country.

“I just met Mr. President, and he reiterated that we must make sure Nigeria is secured,” he stated. “Nigerians should go back and sleep with their eyes closed, go back to their farms, and schools should open without molestation. Everyone must be carried along to ensure Nigeria continues to grow in line with the Renewed Hope programme.”

Also speaking on the appointment, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, expressed confidence that Musa’s emergence signals a renewed seriousness in tackling insecurity.

He said he was also representing the Sultan of Sokoto at the Villa.

“We just need the restoration of normalcy in this country by any means possible, and I think this job is in very good hands,” Kukah said. “It seems very clear that the President wants to reposition security, and the situation is in good hands.”

Reacting to Gen. Musa’s earlier comments during his Senate screening that terrorists required more “punitive measures,” Kukah said decisive action was overdue.

“We are on all fours as far as that is concerned,” he said. “Rain, thunder, sunshine — whatever it takes to get this mess under control. These guys need to be flushed out. Normalcy must return. Laughter and joy have to come back to Nigeria. All we can do is pray for the best.”

Musa now assumes leadership of the Defence Ministry at a time when the country is battling escalating incidents of kidnapping, terrorism, and rural banditry.

His return to national security leadership has raised public expectations for stronger coordination and faster results in the fight against insecurity.