Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warned that anyone working against the unity or sovereignty of Nigeria will be treated as an enemy of the state.
Musa gave the warning on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi while addressing the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council. The meeting was themed “Strengthening Community Collaboration for Lasting Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria.”
“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 person,” he declared.
The CDS reaffirmed the military’s commitment to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and urged Nigerians to stand together to protect peace and stability.
He praised the Sultan of Sokoto and other northern traditional rulers for their continuous role in promoting peace and unity. “We underscore the vital role of our traditional rulers as custodians of values and morality. They remain indispensable to our collective efforts in ensuring stability in the North and the entire country,” he said.
Musa described traditional rulers as the first line of engagement between the government and the people. He stressed that peace cannot be imposed but built through trust, dialogue, and cooperation among security agencies, traditional institutions, and civil society.
“Our desire is for every community in Nigeria to be peaceful. The collaboration between security agencies and traditional authorities has never been more crucial,” he added.
The defence chief also charged members of the armed forces to act decisively against criminals threatening lives and property. “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,” he said.
Musa assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to protecting democracy and credited President Bola Tinubu for supporting the armed forces with the tools needed to perform their duties.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Sa’ad Abubakar, said the assembly’s theme was chosen to tackle the security challenges confronting the North.
He said the meeting would produce a communiqué to be presented to northern governors at their upcoming session in Kaduna. The Sultan urged citizens to support the military rather than criticise it.
“Without the military, we wouldn’t be where we are now. There are challenges and shortcomings, and that’s why we are here, to find solutions,” he said.
He also warned against the dangers of misinformation on social media, noting that fake news can incite unrest. “People sit in the comfort of their rooms, create fake stories and share them until they go viral. It is dangerous. We must verify information before posting or sharing,” Christopher Musa said.
The Sultan dismissed recent false claims of attacks in Sokoto and divisive statements attributed to him. He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to democratic governance and pledged continued support for elected leaders.
Other speakers, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, commended security agencies and traditional rulers for their sacrifices and roles in fostering peace.
The event, held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi, brought together traditional leaders, senior officials, security chiefs, and community representatives to discuss new strategies for lasting peace and stability in northern Nigeria.
