To halt the infiltration of armed groups, Nigeria's top defence official suggests an ambitious plan to entirely fence the nation's borders with its four neighbouring countries.
Nigeria's Defence Chief of Staff on Tuesday proposed the complete fencing of the nation's borders with its four neighbours, a drastic measure aimed at stemming the influx of armed groups and tackling escalating insecurity across the country. This marks the first time such a suggestion has been publicly put forth by a high-ranking Nigerian official.
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, speaking at a security conference in Abuja, emphasised that "border management is very critical" for Nigeria's survival and sovereignty. He cited successful precedents like Pakistan's 1,350 km fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia's 1,400 km barrier with Iraq as models for Nigeria to consider.
Nigeria's military is currently stretched thin battling widespread security challenges, most notably a 16-year insurgency in the northeast spearheaded by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The conflict has resulted in countless attacks, civilian and military casualties, and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Nigerian authorities frequently attribute the persistent insurgency, including recent assaults on military installations, to the infiltration of foreign fighters.
Nigeria shares borders with Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad, all of which are themselves grappling with intensifying militant campaigns across the Sahel region. Nigeria's longest border, stretching 1,975 km, is with Cameroon in the northeast, a major hotspot for Boko Haram activity. It also shares 1,500 km with Niger and 85 km with Chad, nations that have experienced territorial losses to armed groups.
General Musa warned that Nigeria's perceived economic strength makes it an attractive target for these groups. "It is Nigeria that everybody is interested in," he stated. "That is why we need to secure fully and take control of our borders."
The proposal to fence Nigeria's extensive borders is a significant escalation in the discourse surrounding national security. While the practicalities and cost of such an undertaking would be immense, the defence chief's call underscores the gravity of the security situation and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to protect Nigeria's territory and its citizens.
A Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region has damaged an oil depot belonging to Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, and left fo...
During President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Washington, officials from Azerbaijan and the United States discussed expanding economic collaboration and ...
President Ilham Aliyev’s meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will be held at the White House today...
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated in an interview published on Friday that he has no intention of seeking another term in office and di...
Nikol Pashinyan and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff discussed strengthening Armenia-U.S. strategic relations ahead of planned trilateral meetings at the Whit...
At least 45 women and children were kidnapped overnight during coordinated raids on five villages in Nigeria’s Zamfara state, according to local witnesses.
Nigeria’s Plateau State has revived an intra-city train service to offer cheaper public transport. The move comes amid soaring fuel prices after the federal government scrapped fuel subsidies in 2023, pushing up bus fares and straining household budgets.
At least 11 people were killed and more than 70 others, including women and children, were kidnapped by armed men on motorbikes in Sabongarin Damri, a village in Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, according to witnesses.
At least 652 children have died from malnutrition in Nigeria’s Katsina state in the first six months of 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said on Friday, blaming funding cuts by international donors for worsening conditions.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
Chinese automaker Chery has denied an industry-ministry audit that disqualified more than $53 million in state incentives for thousands of its electric and hybrid vehicles, insisting it followed official guidance and committed no fraud.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated in an interview published on Friday that he has no intention of seeking another term in office and dismissed claims that he is preparing his son to take over leadership.
China’s President Xi Jinping told Russian leader Vladimir Putin that Beijing will continue promoting peace talks on Ukraine, regardless of how the situation unfolds.
Drone attacks continue to haunt communities around Kyiv. Overnight, Russian forces launched another wave of drones at the Kyiv region, hitting the Bucha district. Fires broke out and several homes were damaged. Local authorities say three women, aged 16, 56, and 80, were injured.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday that a pause in the conflict in Ukraine may be approaching, following a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is working urgently to mend strained ties with Mexico, after relations collapsed late last year when Canadian officials indicated a preference for pursuing a U.S. trade deal without Mexico.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment