The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has declared that anyone undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity will be treated as an enemy of the state.
Musa issued the warning on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi while addressing the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, NTRC, during a forum themed “Kebbi 2025: Strengthening Community Collaboration for Lasting Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria.”
He reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to defending the nation’s territorial integrity, urging citizens to remain united in protecting peace and stability.
“Anyone found acting against the government or the sovereignty of Nigeria is an enemy of the state, and we will go after such a person,” Musa said.
The Defence Chief commended the Sultan of Sokoto and other traditional leaders for their role in fostering peace and unity across the North. He described them as “custodians of morality and the first bridge between the government and the people.”
According to him, lasting peace can only be achieved through cooperation among security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities.
“Our goal is a peaceful Nigeria. Collaboration between security agencies and traditional rulers has never been more vital,” he stated.
Gen. Musa also directed members of the Armed Forces to act decisively against any criminal threat to lives and property, emphasizing that they have the authority to take down those responsible for killings or destruction.
He assured Nigerians of the military’s loyalty to democracy and commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the armed forces with the resources required to perform their duties effectively.
The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the NTRC, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, applauded the forum’s focus on regional security challenges, pledging to present a communiqué from the meeting to northern governors.
He urged Nigerians to support the military rather than criticize it. “Without the military, we would not be where we are today. There are challenges, but we are here to find solutions,” the Sultan said.
The Sultan also cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media, calling for stricter regulation to prevent false reports that could incite unrest.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, praised the armed forces for their sacrifices and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to funding national development and security.
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Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, also lauded traditional rulers for their role in promoting peace and stability, describing their collaboration with security agencies as key to sustaining unity in the North.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi, was attended by traditional rulers, security chiefs, senior government officials, and community leaders from across Northern Nigeria.
