The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has lashed out at the Canadian Embassy for denying Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and some other senior military officers visas for an official engagement.
Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), expressed his displeasure over the incident, stating that Canada “can go to hell”.
The NSA said this at the maiden annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
The military officials were due to attend an event honouring war veterans in Canada, but only a portion of the delegation was granted visas, leading to strong reactions from Nigerian authorities.
Ribadu described the visa denial as disrespectful, saying: “Thank you for having the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell.
“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country.
“Yet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria thrive. I commend you for providing purposeful leadership in the fight against insecurity.”
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Ribadu, however, commended Musa for his leadership in tackling security challenges in Nigeria, stressing the need for continued collaboration among security agencies
Also speaking at the event, Musa said he and his team had been invited to the veterans’ event but faced an unexpected setback when some members of the delegation were denied entry.
The CDS described the situation as disappointing but emphasised the need for Nigeria to strengthen its independence and resilience.
He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were supposed to be there.
“We were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It’s very disappointing.
“It’s a clear reminder that the country must stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted.”
The reasons behind the visa denial remain unclear.
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