By Emmanuel Kwada
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has raised alarm over the country’s porous borders, particularly with Niger, which he says allows bandits to infiltrate and wreak havoc.

In a bold call to action, Musa advocated for fencing the Nigeria-Niger border and banning open grazing to address the escalating security challenges posed by cross-border banditry.
Speaking at a security summit in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa attributed the persistent banditry in northern Nigeria to the ease with which criminals exploit the unsecured border.
“Our borders are porous, and we should fence the Niger border. Bandits walk in to cause mayhem because they believe we are richer,” he stated, highlighting how economic disparities drive criminal activities across the frontier.
Our borders are porous, and we should fence the Niger border. Bandits walk in to cause mayhem because they believe we are richer
Musa emphasized that the free movement of herders and their cattle through open grazing practices exacerbates insecurity, often leading to clashes with farmers and providing cover for bandits. “We must stop open grazing too,” he urged, advocating for stricter regulations to curb the practice and reduce conflict triggers.
The CDS’s remarks come amid rising incidents of kidnapping, cattle rustling, and violent attacks in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central regions, with many attributing the surge to cross-border criminal networks.
He called for urgent collaboration between federal and state governments to implement border fencing and modernize livestock management systems, such as ranching, to replace open grazing.
“Securing our borders and regulating grazing are critical steps to restoring peace. We cannot allow criminals to exploit our openness,” Musa said, underscoring the need for decisive action to protect Nigerian communities.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions. While security analysts commend the CDS for addressing root causes of banditry, some northern leaders argue that banning open grazing without adequate infrastructure could disrupt the livelihoods of pastoralists.
Securing our borders and regulating grazing are critical steps to restoring peace. We cannot allow criminals to exploit our openness
The presidency has yet to comment on the feasibility of Musa’s recommendations, but the call has reignited debates over border security and agricultural reform.
As Nigeria grapples with mounting insecurity, General Musa’s bold prescriptions signal a push for comprehensive measures to tackle the banditry menace head-on.