Africa must build joint counter-terrorism capacity — CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged African militaries to urgently strengthen joint counterterrorism, cyber defence, and intelligence-sharing systems to tackle the continent’s growing security threats.

Speaking at the opening of the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit (ACDSS) in Abuja on Monday, Musa warned that terrorism, organised crime, piracy, climate-related conflicts, cyber warfare, and artificial intelligence were reshaping Africa’s security landscape.

“The threats confronting us are borderless, asymmetric, and digital. Africa must rise with equally dynamic responses built on unity, shared intelligence, and joint operations,” he said.

The CDS stressed that no single country could stand alone against such challenges, calling for concrete operational frameworks and the development of an indigenous African defence-industrial base.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and humanitarian missions across the continent.

“Our fallen heroes must inspire us to build Armed Forces that are strong, accountable, and people-centred,” Musa added.

Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, represented by the Minister of State, Bello Matawalle, hailed the CDS for his leadership in convening the summit, describing it as a milestone in Africa’s defence diplomacy.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to Nigeria’s Armed Forces, noting that the summit reflected Africa’s collective determination to strengthen regional cooperation and ensure continental peace and security.