Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) on Thursday said that Nigeria is “most hit” by the death of Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno.
General Magashi said this is because the death President Deby Itno and the ongoing unrest in the country would worsen insecurity and influx of refugees and weapons in the Sahel region, stating that Nigeria tightening up security around its command borders with its Northern neighbour.
Magashi told journalists in Abuja at a special weekly briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team that it fears that an unstable Chad may escalate insecurity in Nigeria as bandits could infiltrate through the borders in the guise of refugees.
According to General Magahsi, “if there’s no security in Chad, there will be a lot of trouble for all neighboring countries. But thankfully, we have a lot of ongoing military cooperation through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), which we expect to continue. We remain mindful of our borders and developments in Chad.
“When we heard of this unfortunate killing of the Chadian President, we knew that problem is bound to be replicated among neigbouring countries and Nigeria will be most hit by his absence. If there is insecurity in Chad, there will be a lot of problems.
“But thank God, we have a lot of military activities with the Chadian, Niger Cameroon, we have all that military concern. So, in the name of that multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), all these countries, including Chad, are contributing countries for the operation. What we hope that very soon, we will find a secure way of the continuation of the activities we’re supposed to be doing.
“The problem is now going to be aggravated. Because we are not sure the direction in which that country is going to face. But I assure you that we are mindful of our borders. We are mindful of the development. And politically, the government is putting its head together to see how best they can restore the peace in that country.
“So, security wise, we’re beefing up all borders to ensure that refugees did not flow into a country. Even Nigerians there I’m sure some of them would like to come back. We have to make ready. Let’s prepare for them and not allow them to come in and use others to come because of the problems that they will create.
“The issue of weapons and armament. We are also afraid of that. Before now, Chad has been the one stopping most of these infiltration of weapons and the rest of it. Now, that is free for all right from Libya down to Nigeria. It’s very easy now because the absence of the influence of Chad in that route.
“So, we also have to take care of that. I think we are on top of the situation. All we are praying is that African countries will find a solution to the problem of Chad and get in a more corrective society as respected by international organisations.”
The Minister also said that the current attacks on Nigeria Police formations in the South East is an affront on Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that such would no longer be tolerated.
It also said the killers of the 12 soldiers in Benue State will be brought to book saying: “Whoever touches the military has no regard for this country.”
It added nine of 12 weapons belonging to the murdered soldiers have been recovered, and arrests are being made.
