By Julius Peter
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and forging a united regional security architecture aimed at tackling terrorism, banditry, piracy and other transnational crimes threatening West Africa.
The renewed commitment followed the successful conclusion of a three-day working visit to Cotonou by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, where he held a series of high-level engagements with Beninese political and military authorities.
The strategic visit, hosted by Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gildas Agonkan, focused on harmonising regional security frameworks, enhancing intelligence sharing, strengthening border security and promoting joint military operations against criminal networks operating across the sub-region.
Speaking during separate meetings with Mr. Agonkan and the Beninese military high command, General Musa stressed that West African nations must work more closely together to confront emerging security challenges, noting that no country can effectively defeat terrorism and organised crime in isolation.
He called for stronger collaboration among regional security blocs, emphasizing the need to safeguard democratic governance, stabilise international borders and secure the Gulf of Guinea against piracy, maritime crime and other security threats.
One of the major outcomes of the visit was the agreement by both countries to establish a seamless real-time intelligence-sharing mechanism designed to improve the detection and disruption of criminal and terrorist activities before attacks are carried out.
According to the Defence Minister, improved intelligence fusion between both countries will significantly strengthen efforts to track, monitor and dismantle transnational criminal syndicates, insurgent groups and other violent extremist organisations operating across shared borders.
General Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, declaring that Nigeria remains determined to deny terrorists and criminal elements any safe haven within its territory or neighbouring countries.
He urged the Beninese authorities to intensify cooperation with Nigeria in preventing terrorists and armed groups from exploiting porous borders, insisting that security forces would continue to sustain pressure on terrorists, bandits and violent extremists.
To further strengthen border security, Nigeria proposed deeper operational collaboration that would allow security personnel greater flexibility in pursuing criminal elements operating around border communities, a move expected to reduce insurgent infiltration, illegal trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
Beyond security operations, the Defence Minister and his delegation visited the Centre for Post Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operations (CPADD) as well as the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ), where discussions centred on technology transfer, local capacity building and industrial development.
The visits, according to the Ministry, align with the Federal Government’s defence reform agenda, particularly the operational pillar focusing on Intelligence-Driven and Technology-Enabled Defence.
Officials from both countries also exchanged ideas on expanding industrial cooperation, strengthening local manufacturing capabilities and promoting regional economic development in line with ECOWAS trade protocols and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As part of the working visit, General Musa also inspected Nigerian Army personnel deployed at Togbin, Cotonou, under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II, a peace support mission in the Republic of Benin.
Addressing the troops, the Defence Minister commended their professionalism, resilience and sacrifice in maintaining regional peace and security while assuring them of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to improving their welfare.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to work alongside Beninese security forces to eliminate criminal elements operating across the region.
“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits, all those criminals that are killing people in our countries. One of the reasons for my visit is to meet with their Minister of Defence so that together we can develop joint operations that will prevent these criminals from infiltrating through our borders,” he said.
General Musa also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces, assuring the troops that the Federal Government is implementing measures to improve their welfare, operational capacity and overall working conditions.
“A lot of good things that Mr. President is preparing for you are being followed up to ensure that you live well. We know the work you do is difficult, but your sacrifices are appreciated because you are securing Nigeria,” he told the troops.
The Minister equally held diplomatic consultations with Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim, during which both sides discussed Nigeria’s regional peace initiatives and President Tinubu’s continued commitment to strengthening military cooperation within West Africa.
The visit concluded with Ambassador Ibrahim and officials of the Nigerian mission in Benin seeing the Defence Minister off as he departed Cotonou for Abuja.
Security analysts say the renewed partnership between Nigeria and Benin comes at a critical time when countries across West Africa are intensifying collaborative efforts to confront terrorism, arms trafficking, piracy and other cross-border crimes that continue to threaten regional stability.
The latest engagements are expected to further strengthen military interoperability, improve intelligence coordination and reinforce the collective resolve of both countries to secure their borders while promoting peace, stability and sustainable development across the West African sub-region.
