Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have pledged to strengthen security cooperation and forge a unified front against trans-border criminals operating across their shared borders.

The commitment was made during a three-day strategic working visit to Cotonou by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), where he held talks with his Beninese counterpart, Minister of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan.

According to a statement by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Nigerian Defence Minister, the high-level engagement focused on deepening bilateral defence cooperation, harmonising regional security frameworks and strengthening joint strategies to tackle cross-border security threats across West Africa.

She said the visit produced actionable commitments, particularly in the areas of regional security, intelligence sharing, border protection and maritime safety.

Musa called for greater coordination among regional security blocs to address the evolving security challenges confronting West Africa.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to protecting democratic governance, stabilising their land borders and securing the Gulf of Guinea against piracy and other maritime crimes.

On intelligence sharing, the two sides agreed to establish seamless, real-time intelligence fusion mechanisms to enable their security forces to track and neutralise transnational criminal networks and insurgent groups before they launch attacks.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, Musa urged Benin to work closely with Nigeria to deny violent extremist organisations safe havens along their shared border.

He said Nigerian security forces were determined to confront terrorists, bandits and armed extremist groups operating within the country.

As part of efforts to strengthen border security, Nigeria also proposed greater operational cooperation between the two countries, including arrangements that would allow security personnel to pursue criminals across border areas to prevent insurgent spillover and illegal trafficking.

During the visit, Musa and his delegation visited the Centre for Post Conflict Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations (CPADD) and the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ).

The visits were aimed at promoting local capacity building in line with the Minister’s third operational pillar, which focuses on intelligence-driven and technology-enabled defence.

The engagements also provided an opportunity for both countries to exchange ideas on industrial development and economic cooperation in line with ECOWAS protocols and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Musa also inspected Nigerian Army troops deployed in Togbin, Cotonou, as part of the Peace Support Mission in the Republic of Benin under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II.

While addressing the troops, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to work with Beninese security forces to combat criminals and prevent the movement of armed groups across their shared borders.

“We are going to partner with the troops of the Republic of Benin to ensure that we stop all those bandits, all those criminals that are killing people in our own countries, so that we can deal with them,” Musa said.

He added that one of the objectives of his visit was to meet with the Beninese Defence Minister and develop coordinated operational strategies to prevent criminals from infiltrating either country through their borders.

Musa assured the troops that the Federal Government remained committed to improving their welfare and providing them with the necessary equipment and support to carry out their duties.

“A lot of good things that Mr President is preparing for you, we are following up to ensure that you live very well. We are providing the necessary aspects so that you can do your job,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the difficult nature of military service, adding that the government recognised the sacrifices being made by security personnel to protect the country.

During the visit, Musa also held diplomatic talks with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mopelola Ibrahim, and reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving military welfare and promoting peace and security across the region.