Brigadier General Usman Sani (retd) has expressed support for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Benin Republic, stressing that the move is necessary to protect Nigeria’s stability and national interests.
Speaking on the Channels Morning Brief, monitored by DAILY POST on Wednesday, the former army spokesman stated that Nigeria’s security is closely tied to developments in neighbouring countries, particularly as the nation is surrounded by mostly French-speaking states.
He said, “They say necessity is the mother of invention and that is one of the things you people should understand, the complexity of Nigerian society.
“In that sense now look, we are geographically surrounded by other countries who are mostly french speaking all the rest of the thing.”
He noted that even a minor crisis in any of these countries could have direct consequences for Nigeria, regardless of population size or geographic boundaries.
According to him, potential humanitarian fallout, including an influx of displaced persons from Benin, could strain Nigeria’s economy, border communities, and cross-border trade.
“Even a minor crisis in any of our neighbouring countries can have direct consequences for Nigeria, from humanitarian challenges to economic and trade disruptions. That is why stabilising democratic governance in Benin is not optional, it is necessary.”
He argued that this makes it essential for Nigeria to help stabilise democratic governance in Benin, describing the intervention as a strategic necessity rather than an act of convenience.
Sani urged the public to understand the broader security implications for the region, emphasising that Nigeria cannot ignore unrest in neighbouring states.
