Senate confirms ex-CDS Christopher Musa as new Defence Minister

The Senate has confirmed retired General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following an intensive screening session that lasted over five hours.

Musa scaled the confirmation hurdle after undergoing rigorous questioning by members of the upper chamber on Wednesday.

His appointment follows the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down from the role citing health challenges. President Bola Tinubu had earlier forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate for consideration as his replacement.

While addressing lawmakers during the exercise, Musa vowed to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against banditry and terrorism if confirmed. He assured the Senate that his administration at the ministry would pursue decisive and uncompromising measures to tackle the nation’s security challenges.

The former Chief of Defence Staff also declared that under his leadership, the armed forces would not hesitate to deploy maximum force against criminals threatening peace and stability across the country.

Musa further pledged to probe the reported withdrawal of military personnel ahead of the attack on Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

In addition, he promised to set up an investigative panel into the killing of Brigadier-General Musa Uba and condemned the abduction and execution of a brigade commander by terrorists in Borno State, assuring that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.