The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has condemned the Canadian Government for denying visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers.
The CDS had revealed that he and other top military officers invited to an event in Canada on Wednesday were denied visas.
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone, and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing. This is a clear reminder that we must stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted”, the CDS said.
Condemning the action of the Canadian Government on Thursday, Ribadu expressed his displeasure, stating that Canada “can go to hell.”
The NSA, who spoke at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), however, commended the CDS for speaking openly about the incident.
He said, “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell. Even though it’s painful, it’s disrespectful, but we are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work.”
Ribadu also praised Musa for his leadership in the fight against insecurity, highlighting the ongoing collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies to strengthen national security.