By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper military cooperation and coordinated security operations aimed at combating terrorism, banditry, piracy, and other transnational crimes threatening West Africa.
The renewed commitment was reached during a three-day working visit to Cotonou by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, where he held strategic engagements with Beninese defence authorities and military commanders.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the visit focused on strengthening bilateral defence relations, harmonising regional security frameworks, enhancing intelligence sharing, and developing joint responses to emerging security threats across the sub-region.
During separate meetings with Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan, and senior military officials, Musa called for stronger collaboration among regional security actors to address the evolving security challenges facing West Africa.
The discussions underscored the need to safeguard democratic governance, secure land borders, and strengthen efforts to protect the Gulf of Guinea from piracy, armed robbery, and other maritime crimes.
A major outcome of the visit was the agreement by both countries to improve intelligence sharing through real-time information exchange mechanisms designed to help security agencies track and neutralise criminal and insurgent networks operating across borders.
Musa reiterated Nigeria’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and urged Benin to work closely with Nigerian authorities to deny safe havens to extremist groups and criminal elements seeking to exploit border communities.
The minister also proposed enhanced border security cooperation, including broader operational coordination between security agencies of both countries to prevent insurgent infiltration, arms trafficking, and other illicit cross-border activities.
As part of the visit, Musa and his delegation toured the Centre for Post-Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations (CPADD) as well as the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ), where discussions focused on technology-driven defence capabilities, capacity building, and industrial development.
The engagements, officials said, were aligned with the Federal Government’s drive towards intelligence-led and technology-enabled defence operations while promoting regional economic integration under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
The Defence Minister also visited Nigerian Army personnel deployed at Togbin, Cotonou, under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II, a peace support mission in the Republic of Benin.
Addressing the troops, Musa assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving their welfare and operational effectiveness, while commending their sacrifices in support of regional peace and security.
He stressed that Nigeria and Benin would continue to work together to prevent terrorists, bandits, and criminal groups from exploiting porous borders, noting that both countries were determined to strengthen joint operations to eliminate security threats.
The minister further held discussions with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mopelola Ibrahim, during which he reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to military welfare, regional stability, and stronger diplomatic relations within West Africa.
Musa has since returned to Abuja following the conclusion of the strategic visit.
