Emmanuel Daudu
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed to deepen defence cooperation, expand intelligence sharing and strengthen joint border security operations as part of renewed efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and transnational crime across West Africa.
The agreement was reached during a three-day working visit to Cotonou by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), where he held bilateral talks with Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan, alongside senior military officials of both countries.
According to the Nigerian Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on improving coordination between the two neighbouring countries to address growing security threats in the sub-region, including terrorism, cross-border criminal activities and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting democratic governance, strengthening border security and promoting greater collaboration among regional security institutions to confront the evolving security challenges facing West Africa.
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to enhance real-time intelligence sharing to enable both militaries identify, monitor and disrupt the activities of terrorist groups, insurgents and transnational criminal networks operating across their shared borders.
Speaking during the visit, General Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to deny violent extremist groups safe havens within the region, stressing that stronger collaboration between neighbouring countries remains critical to defeating terrorism.
He also proposed broader operational cooperation along the Nigeria-Benin border to improve the ability of security personnel to prevent the movement of insurgents, arms traffickers and other criminal elements between both countries.
As part of the visit, the Nigerian delegation toured the Centre for Post-Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations (CPADD) and the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ), where discussions centred on strengthening local capacity in defence technology, explosive ordnance disposal and industrial development.
The ministry said the engagements also explored opportunities for greater economic and industrial cooperation in line with ECOWAS trade protocols and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
General Musa further visited Nigerian Army personnel deployed at Togbin, Cotonou, under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II, a peace support mission in the Republic of Benin, where he commended the troops for their service and assured them of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to improving their welfare.
Addressing the soldiers, the minister said Nigeria would continue working closely with Beninese security forces to prevent criminal groups from exploiting the porous borders between both countries.
“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits and 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 we can coordinate our operations and stop these people from infiltrating through our borders,” he said.
Musa also assured the troops that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to providing the support and resources required to enhance their operational effectiveness and welfare.
The Defence Minister equally held talks with Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim, during which he reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to regional peace, military cooperation and the welfare of personnel serving the country.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, General Musa has since returned to Abuja following the conclusion of the strategic visit.
Africa Security Investigation News 