The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that multi-dimensional approach beyond military intervention is needed to address insecurity in the Sahel.
Gen. Musa made this statement while delivering a message during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Inaugural Annual International Lecture on Thursday in Abuja.
The Lecture with theme, ““Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options”, was conceived by the management of NAN as part of efforts to tackle the menace of insecurity in the Sahel and Nigeria.
He said that the prevailing security threats in the Sahel region and other parts of Africa were targeting Nigeria because of its strategic importance in the region.
Musa said the Sahel had, in the last decade and half, become synonymous with instability, violence, and insecurity ranging from the rise of insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP to the spread of violent extremism, human trafficking, and illegal arms proliferation.
He said that while insecurity did not emerge in a vacuum, its roots could be traced to a combination of local and global factors.
These factors, according to him, include poor governance, economic marginalisation, climate change, ethnic tensions, and the spillover effects of conflicts in North Africa and the broader Middle East.
He stressed that the collapse of the Libyan state in 2011, further unleashed an influx of weapons and fighters, which catalysed the rise of militant groups across the Sahel.
“Nigeria, as a critical player in the region, has borne a significant share of the fallout from this instability,” he said.
The CDS said that insurgency in the North East, led by Boko Haram since 2009, had not only devastated communities but also stretched military resources, forced the displacement of millions, and undermined economic development.
According to him, the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders with Sahelian countries has made it easier for transnational criminals, including smugglers, human traffickers, and arms dealers, to operate with impunity.
“Nigeria has demonstrated resilience and determination in confronting these challenges.
“I encourage all stakeholders including government, civil society, international partners,and the private sector to work collaboratively in addressing these challenges.
“Let us always remember that Nigeria’s security and that of the entire Sahel region depend on our ability to find lasting solutions that promote peace, stability, and prosperity for all,” he added.
