This week, we borrow from the two sacred books of the world: the Holy Quran and the Bible. Earlier this year, I used a similar technique in a column titled “Tell President Tinubu, Winter is Coming and the North Remembers”, drawing inspiration from Game of Thrones. Today, I return to that style to explore a question pressing on the minds of millions of Nigerians. Can the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, lead the nation through its own Red Sea of insecurity and deliver Nigerians from persistent threats to their safety?
Prophet Musa, or Moses, is a figure whose story appears in both the Holy Quran and the Bible. He became the savior of the Israelites after years of slavery under Pharaoh. This journey culminated in the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, a passage that ended centuries of suffering for his people. By invoking this metaphor, we ask whether Musa’s namesake, now tasked with the security of Nigeria, can provide the leadership required to deliver the nation from its current waves of terror, banditry, and insecurity.
Christopher Gwabin Musa is a seasoned officer of the Nigerian Army. His career has been defined by operational excellence in national security, counterterrorism, and peacekeeping. He served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the primary military initiative against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East. In this role, he coordinated ground troops, intelligence units, and air support while engaging local communities to restore peace. His leadership brought significant gains against terrorist networks, restoring relative calm to areas long plagued by violence.
Before this, he held critical positions including:
• Commander of Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole
• Commander of the 28 Task Force Brigade
• Director of Operations Monitoring
• Multiple staff roles at Army Headquarters
His operational record and leadership qualities earned him the position of Chief of Defence Staff, where he oversaw the Army, Navy, and Air Force. As CDS, he worked to improve joint operations, strengthen intelligence sharing, and enhance welfare and professionalism within the armed forces.
Forty days after his dismissal as CDS, President Tinubu appointed him Minister of Defence following the resignation of former Minister Badaru Muhammad. The appointment was widely welcomed, with Nigerians from all regions, tribes, and religions expressing approval. Such nationwide validation is rare in a country often divided by politics.
Yet, not everyone joined the celebration. Critics questioned whether his two years as CDS justified such acclaim. They asked whether this track record alone could warrant the nationwide praise his appointment received.
From my perspective, Minister Musa commands immense respect. In a previous column titled “Are We Safe?”, I commended his boldness as CDS. In one of his interviews, he admitted that the country is approaching a stage where Nigerians may be allowed to hold guns and protect themselves. This statement is significant, reflecting both a shift in thinking and recognition of the growing security gap. Even critics concede that someone with real operational experience is now at the helm of the defence sector, unlike the previous minister who had no security background.
During his Senate screening, Musa offered further clarity on his approach to insecurity. On negotiating with bandits, he stated:
“There is no negotiation with any criminal. When people pay ransoms, it buys terrorists time to regroup, re-arm, and plan new attacks. Communities that negotiated still got attacked later.”
He added that ransom payments could be digitally monitored, insisting that Nigeria’s banking system has the capacity to trace financial flows linked to crime if fully activated. He emphasized:
“Kinetic efforts alone cannot win the war.”
This stance is particularly relevant given incidents like the abduction in Maga, which prompted my column “How Nigeria Shamelessly Won”. Despite negotiations to secure the release of abducted students, videos surfaced of bandits openly bragging about the deal, proving that such concessions often empower criminals rather than save lives.
Even more troubling was the timing of the Maga attack. The Governor of Kebbi confirmed that security agencies had intelligence about the impending incident and deployed personnel. Yet, thirty minutes before the abduction, all deployed forces were withdrawn. This led to my column “Who is Really Behind the Maga Abduction?”, hinting at the possibility of a ghost hand within authorities facilitating such attacks. Minister Musa has committed to a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
The Senate screening was rigorous and impressive, resulting in his successful confirmation and swearing-in. But the real challenge lies ahead: implementing effective security policies where others failed, meeting public expectations, and resisting political pressures that could compromise his leadership.
The central question remains: “When Musa arrives, the Red Sea must open. Will it open for Nigerians?”
Only time will tell, but the nation watches with hope, cautious optimism, and perhaps for the first time in years, a sense that someone with both experience and courage is steering the ship through the storm.
Tags
News