Abuja, Nigeria – The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has strongly criticized the Canadian High Commission for denying visas to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officials.
Speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, Ribadu expressed his anger over the decision, saying Canada “can go to hell.”
CDS: Visa Denial a Wake-Up Call for Nigeria
Earlier, Gen. Musa revealed that he and his delegation were scheduled to attend an event in Canada to honor war veterans and injured soldiers, but several members of the team were denied visas.
“Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honor our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team, but half of us were denied visas. It’s very disappointing,” he stated.
The CDS added that the incident serves as a reminder for Nigeria to strengthen its independence and not be taken for granted on the global stage.
Ribadu: Time to Fix Nigeria
Reacting to the development, Ribadu commended the CDS for speaking out and emphasized the need for Nigeria to work towards self-sufficiency.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell. Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong. This is another reason we must work hard to fix our country,” Ribadu stated.
The NSA also praised Gen. Musa’s leadership in the fight against insecurity, reaffirming that security agencies are collaborating effectively to tackle threats across the country.
The visa denial has sparked discussions on Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Canada, with some calling for a review of visa policies affecting government officials and citizens alike
