Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has recommended that the government build fences along the country’s borders. He said this would help protect the nation from criminals and terrorists crossing into Nigeria.

General Musa made the call during a security conference in Abuja on Tuesday. He said several countries with security threats had already taken similar steps.

“Other countries, because of the level of insecurity they have, had to fence their borders,” he said. “It is Nigeria that everybody is interested in. That is why we need to secure fully and take control of our borders. It is critical for our survival and sovereignty.”

Musa’s inspiration may have come from the controversial policy of President Donald Trump erecting a wall along the long US-Mexico border.

Porous Borders Allow Criminals and Weapons into Nigeria

Nigeria shares borders with Niger, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad. These countries are also facing conflict and insecurity. According to Musa, this puts Nigeria at risk.

He explained that Nigeria’s large population, natural resources, and open borders make the country a target for outside threats.

The defence chief said Nigeria’s borders have too many gaps and weak points. These allow smugglers, bandits, and terrorists to enter the country without checks. Many security experts agree that poor border control has made it easier for illegal weapons and fighters to enter Nigeria.

General Musa gave examples of countries that have built fences for protection. Pakistan fenced its border with Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia fenced its border with Iraq. Both countries did so to reduce the threat of attacks from outside.

Experts Support the Need for Stronger Border Control

Military and security analysts say that fencing Nigeria’s borders could help reduce the movement of armed groups and weapons. Some also argue that the move could help stop the spread of illegal trade, human trafficking, and smuggling.

Many Nigerians living in border communities have often reported seeing armed men crossing freely without any resistance. The security agencies sometimes lack the equipment and manpower to monitor these vast areas.

Fencing the borders could cost billions of naira, but officials say the cost of insecurity is far higher. It is unclear if the general’s call was cleared by the government or if such a policy of fencing Nigeria’s borders is under consideration.

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