The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has emphasized that a multi-dimensional strategy, beyond military intervention, is essential to addressing the insecurity plaguing the Sahel region.

Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Inaugural Annual International Lecture in Abuja, Musa highlighted the growing instability in the Sahel, describing it as a significant threat to Nigeria due to the nation’s strategic role in the region.

“Insecurity did not emerge in a vacuum,” he stated, attributing its rise to a combination of local and global factors such as poor governance, economic marginalization, climate change, and ethnic tensions. He also pointed to the collapse of the Libyan state in 2011, which led to an influx of weapons and fighters, further fueling the rise of insurgent groups.

Musa noted that the insurgency in Nigeria’s North East, led by Boko Haram since 2009, has stretched military resources, displaced millions, and hindered economic development. He warned that the porous borders between Nigeria and Sahelian countries enable transnational criminal activities, including arms smuggling and human trafficking.

“Nigeria, as a critical player in the region, has borne a significant share of the fallout from this instability,” he said.

The CDS urged all stakeholders—government, civil society, international partners, and the private sector—to collaborate 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,” Musa concluded.

The lecture, themed “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts, and Options,” was organized by NAN as part of efforts to address the region’s security concerns.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has inaugurated the rural electrification project in the Shaku community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.

The project was executed under the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme in honour of Rear Adm. Zakariyyah Shaku Muhammad, Chief of Communication and Information Technology, Nigerian Navy.

Ogalla, represented by Rear Adm. Mike Oamen, Chief of Naval Transformation, said the project was to promote civil/navy corporation and foster harmonious relations with the community.

“The projects are targeted at serving Rear Admirals, where we have identified critical quick impact projects that will have maximum impact on the social and economic life of the people.

“This is non-kinetic line operations for the Nigerian Navy to foster relationships with our host communities where we operate and win their hearts and minds.

“Through this, we can get requisite support from communities in terms of intelligence and other information.

“We hope it will bring development to the community and environs,” he said.

Earlier, Muhammad, expressed happiness over the project, saying that the electrification of the Shaku community was a desire of his late father, Alhaji Muhammad Shaku, 30 years back.

“I thank the CNS for bringing the vision to fruition. The project will open up the community to positive possibilities. Youths will go into enterprise to keep them busy,” he said.

Muhammad added that the project would unlock opportunities for enhanced education and digital literacy as well as economic activities such as vocational and entrepreneurial jobs.

He said the project would also boost security and safety in the Shaku community and environs and called on the people to continue to work together in fostering a culture of maintenance and responsible energy usage.

In his remarks, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, appreciated the CNS for the intervention, adding that the electricity project would boost economic activities in the area.

Bago, represented by retired Brig.- Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, Commissioner for Homeland Security, appealed to members of the community to ensure maintenance of the project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Bobbo, Commander, 313 Artillery Brigade, Minna; senior officer of the Nigerian Navy and representative of the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 897 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region in the third quarter of the year.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also destroyed 370 wooden boats and recovered 48 assorted weapons and 672 assorted ammunitions during the period.

He said the troops also apprehended 447 persons involved in crude oil theft and rescued 48 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 12.1 million litres of stolen crude oil; 2.6 million litres of AGO; 6,970 litres of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS.

According to him, troops of Operation Delta Safe maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft during the third quarter of the year.

“The air component conducted air interdictions on several illegal crude oil refining sites during the period, destroying over 100 of such sites, boats, vehicles among other equipment,” he said.

In the South East, Buba said troops of Operation UDO ΚΑ, neutralised 180 combatants, apprehended 354 IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued 148 kidnapped hostages.

He said the troops recovered 28 AK47 rifles, 44 pump action guns, 58 assorted arms, and 3,456 rounds of 7.62mm special, among others.

According to him, troops apprehended high-profile members of IPOB/ESN  at Agwu Local Government Area of Enugu State and several others who he said were assisting in an ongoing investigation.

Buba said the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country had prioritised the killing of terrorist leadership and the destruction of terror infrastructure.