Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that he and several top military officers were denied visas for an official assignment in Canada, a move that has sparked reactions from high-ranking officials, including National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
Speaking on Wednesday, Musa explained that the event in Canada was organized to honor war veterans, including those who had been injured in battle. However, while some members of their delegation were granted visas, others, including himself, were denied entry.
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honor our veterans, those injured during battles. We were invited as a team, but half of us were denied visas. It’s very disappointing,” Musa stated.
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The rejection, according to the CDS, serves as a stark reminder that Nigeria must assert itself as a strong and independent nation.
Reacting to the development, NSA Ribadu did not hold back his frustration.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu said bluntly.
He condemned the decision, calling it disrespectful but emphasized that Nigeria must focus on strengthening itself.
“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong. I agree with you—it is time to fix our country. This is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work,” Ribadu added.
He also commended the CDS for his “purposeful leadership” in Nigeria’s ongoing war against security threats.
The incident has since sparked debates about diplomatic relations and the treatment of Nigerian officials abroad, with many calling for a reassessment of Nigeria’s global standing.
