GEN MUSA (RTD) SAYS NATIONAL UNITY IS CRITICAL TO NIGERIA’S SECURITY, ADVOCATES REINTRODUCTION OF MODERNISED TOLLGATES
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has emphasised that national unity is fundamental to Nigeria’s security and called for the strategic reintroduction of modernised, technology-driven tollgates on major highways as part of measures to strengthen national security.
General Musa made the call while participating as a panellist at the Abuja Roundtable, themed “Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation,” during a session titled “Safe to Farm, Travel and Trade: Protecting Lives and Livelihoods in Every Community.”
Reflecting on past policy decisions, the Defence Minister described the removal and destruction of tollgates across the country as a strategic setback, noting that tollgates, when properly equipped and managed, can serve as important security checkpoints for monitoring vehicular movements and detecting criminal activities.
He advocated the deployment of modern technology and automated systems to eliminate the shortcomings associated with the previous tolling system.
“With modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and automation, toll collection no longer requires cash transactions. Automated systems can instantly capture vehicle registration numbers, track vehicular movements across interstate corridors and facilitate the identification and apprehension of criminal suspects,” he stated.
The Minister acknowledged that the former tollgate system was vulnerable to operational abuses but maintained that technological innovations could address such challenges and transform toll infrastructure into an effective non-kinetic security mechanism.
Addressing other critical security concerns, General Musa stressed the need for a comprehensive, reliable and integrated national identification system. He explained that the integration of unique identification numbers, facial recognition technology and biometric data would strengthen identity verification, eliminate identity-related loopholes and improve intelligence gathering.
According to him, a centralised digital identification architecture would significantly enhance the country’s capacity to identify individuals, verify records and respond more effectively to emerging security threats.
On the deployment of military personnel for internal security operations, the Defence Minister clarified that the constitutional responsibility of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is to defend the country’s territorial integrity. However, he noted that the military is required to provide support in addressing internal security challenges when they exceed the operational capacity of the police.
He expressed concern over the prolonged deployment of military personnel across various parts of the country, particularly the impact on their welfare and family lives.
“Our troops have spent years deployed across regions such as the Northwest, away from their families and loved ones,” he observed.
General Musa disclosed that deliberate efforts were being made to strengthen police recruitment, training and operational capabilities to enable the police to assume greater responsibility for internal security.
He explained that building a stronger and more effective civil policing system would allow the military to gradually disengage from prolonged internal security operations, return to its traditional barracks-based responsibilities and concentrate more effectively on its constitutional mandate.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of transitioning Nigeria’s security architecture from a reactive approach to a more proactive, intelligence-driven system, particularly as the country prepares for 2027.
Speaking on national cohesion, General Musa identified disunity, mutual distrust and divisions along ethnic, religious and regional lines as some of the major challenges confronting Nigeria.
He maintained that the country’s greatest strength lies in its diversity and collective resolve, stressing that national security cannot be achieved through military firepower alone without genuine unity and cooperation among citizens.
“We must begin to view one another simply as human beings and fellow citizens, rather than dividing ourselves along ethnic, regional or religious lines,” he urged.
The Defence Minister called on Nigerians to rise above historical grievances, embrace mutual understanding and work collectively towards building a peaceful, united and secure nation.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to creating a safe and enabling environment where Nigerians can freely farm, travel, conduct business and pursue their livelihoods without fear across every community in the country.
Signed:
Leah Katung-Babatunde
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence
Editorial improvement: The revised headline brings the two central messages of the Minister’s intervention to the forefront: national unity as a foundation for security and the reintroduction of modernised tollgates as a non-kinetic security measure.
