13th February, 2025
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has launched a scathing attack on the Canadian government for denying visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other top military officials.
Speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Ribadu condemned the decision as “disrespectful” and declared that Canada “can go to hell.”
The Punch reports that his outrage followed revelations by Gen. Musa, who disclosed that he and several senior officers were denied visas despite being invited to an event honouring war veterans.
“Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans—those injured in battle. We were invited along with our team, but while half of us got visas, the other half was denied. It’s very disappointing,” Musa lamented.
Describing the snub as a wake-up call, he urged Nigeria to take its sovereignty more seriously.
“This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted,” he asserted.
Ribadu, in a fiery response, applauded Musa for speaking out, insisting that Nigeria must prioritise its own strength rather than seeking approval from foreign nations.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu thundered.
“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful, we are strong, and I agree with you—it is time to fix our country. This is yet another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work,” he said.
