Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, describing him as “a good fit… a soldier’s soldier… with a big heart” who commands the respect of the Armed Forces, Parliament and Nigerians.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Benson said he screened General Musa in 2023 and remained impressed by his competence, compassion, and frontline experience.
“I screened him about two and a half years ago, and I still remember how well he did at the screening session. He’s a soldier’s soldier… with a heart, yes, with a big heart. He took care of his boys,”he said.
Benson added that Musa’s appointment would allow the President “take his eyes a little bit off the heavy workload”, noting that the nominee is widely respected and arriving at “a very challenging time.”
“I actually spoke with him today and I said he’s probably the most Googled man in Nigeria at the moment,”he said.
Asked how the National Assembly would ensure Musa aligns with national security priorities, Benson replied:
“He has no choice. His work is cut out for him. The world is volatile… uncertain, complex and ambiguous. He knows the environment he’s coming into. He needs to ensure that security and welfare of the people is maximised.”
He said Musa and his course-mates — including General Lagbaja — had long insisted that kinetic and non-kinetic responses must work together, stressing that local government administration was essential to consolidating military gains.
“We fight, we win the battle, and a responsible, responsive, efficient government is in place to make sure things flow,” he said.
Benson said Musa’s reputation was grounded in real results.
“He has a good heart, he has empathy, and he’s also ruthless,” he said, recalling an oversight visit in which the general refused heavy escort.
“He said, ‘No, the Kaduna–Abuja road is free. I’m from Kaduna. I will never ever allow Kaduna to be in the hands of bandits or terrorists.’ So he liberated that place. Till date, you can go on the Kaduna–Abuja expressway without any bandits or security issues.”
He assured that oversight would be strengthened once the Senate confirms him:
“He’s the overarching authority… and our job is to ensure we provide adequate scrutiny to ensure that he does a great job.”
Benson said it was unlikely Musa would be rejected by the Senate.
“That would be tough, but I’m sure he’s a man of steel. He’s able to defend his qualifications… I don’t think there’s any reason why they wouldn’t pass him,” he said, adding he saw no conflict of interest.
Asked about the renewed kidnap of schoolchildren in Niger State, Benson drew parallels with the Chibok tragedy.
“I empathise with the families… I sincerely hope those girls are brought back as soon as possible,” he said.
“My heart still bleeds that people have to go through excruciating emotional issues. But has that been forgotten? No, it hasn’t… We can never forget about the Chibok girls.”
He maintained that “all hands are on deck” and that the current abductions would not become “a repeat of the Chibok episode.”
“Everybody will be brought back alive and safe to their families,”he insisted.
Responding to calls for deeper foreign intervention, Benson said:
“I think we can sort out our issues ourselves in a responsible way with our international partners.”
He also defended the government’s handling of terror financiers.
“If you know the financiers, you don’t try them in public. A lot of them have been under scrutiny for a long while… A responsible government would showcase that person at the appropriate time. Very soon,”he said.
Benson said the government was on the right path by increasing troop numbers and pursuing state police.
“It’s not theoretical. It’s very serious. Within the next week or two, we’re going to debate and vote on that… I think it’s a done deal,” he said.
He added that improving local governments was crucial to long-term security.
“If we can ensure the local governments are local governments indeed… if we replicate Lagos State across 774 LGAs, young people will begin to have hope. If you don’t give them hope, the bad guys will hijack them.”
On military assets, Benson said:“Nigeria had a lot of arsenal in the days of yore… We took all our assets to fight the wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. That has cost us a lot. But this administration is going to ensure that in the shortest possible time, we’re going to be extremely equipped like we were.”
He added:“We’re partnering with a lot of countries to get assets back. It takes time, but the willpower is there.”
Boluwatife Enome
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