The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has declared that any act undermining Nigeria’s unity or sovereignty will be treated as an act of treason, warning that those involved will face the full wrath of the law.
Speaking at the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on Tuesday, General Musa emphasized the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and constitutional order.
“Anyone found doing anything negative against the government and the sovereignty of Nigeria is an enemy of the state, and we will go after such a person,” Musa warned during the high-level engagement with northern monarchs.
The assembly, themed “Kebbi 2025: Strengthening Community Collaboration for Lasting Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria,” focused on fostering partnerships between traditional institutions and security forces to improve stability in the region.
Commending the efforts of the Sultan of Sokoto and other traditional leaders, the Defence Chief lauded their pivotal role in nation-building, especially in areas of peace promotion and social cohesion.
“Our traditional rulers are the custodians of values and morality. They are indispensable to our collective efforts to ensure peace and stability, especially in Northern Nigeria,” he noted.
Musa stressed that security is not a task for the military alone but requires cooperation from all levels of society, particularly from grassroots leaders.
“There can be no genuine peace through force alone. It must be achieved through dialogue, trust, and community collaboration,” he added.
He also gave a clear directive to military personnel to act decisively against those threatening national peace, assuring them of full legal backing to neutralize violent threats.
“No member of the armed forces should tell you he has not been ordered to take down any criminal killing or destroying property. You are authorised to act,” the CDS affirmed.
His statement comes amid recent rumours of a coup plot, following the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade. These speculations gained traction after reports surfaced of 16 military officers allegedly arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for suspected involvement in subversive meetings.
However, the Defence Headquarters has since dismissed the reports, labeling them as false and aimed at sowing distrust among citizens. In a statement, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, described the allegations as “mischievous and baseless,” adding that the Armed Forces remain loyal to democratic governance.
General Musa reiterated the military’s allegiance to the Constitution and President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that the Defence Forces are committed to protecting democracy and ensuring national stability.
“Our resolve is firm. We will not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the peace of this nation. Unity and security are non-negotiable,” he concluded.
