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Tag: Musa

  • Worry not over insurgents attacks, we are in control – CDS

    Worry not over insurgents attacks, we are in control – CDS

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military and other security agencies are firmly in control of the situation in the North-east despite the resurgence of insurgents activities in region.

    “The pockets of attacks should not be a cause for concern as the military and security agencies are firmly in control,” Musa said this while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Maiduguri.

    “As you are all aware, I was in Borno State with the Ministers of Defence and other service chiefs three weeks ago to assess the security situation.

    “I thought it wise to return to reassess the renewed attacks and engage stakeholders on the way forward.

    “Security is not a one-man business. I appeal to everyone to join the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping, and all forms of criminality for the peace and development of our country.

    “The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to bringing lasting peace and development to all parts of Nigeria.

    “What we are witnessing here is an eclipse caused by pressure on terrorists in the Sahel region, forcing them to increase attacks in Nigeria, especially around the porous borders of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “We are working diligently to address these challenges.”

    “During my recent trip to Russia, Nigeria maintained a non-aligned stance but engaged with key stakeholders ready to partner with us in this fight.

    “We have procured more sophisticated weapons which will soon be deployed alongside new strategies to end the madness of terrorism,” Musa said.

    The defense chief, who was on assessment in the state also visited Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, where explosions occurred at the armoury due to heat waves.

    Musa also met with key stakeholders alongside with the senior military officials from the Theatre Command Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, at the 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment.

  • W/Cup Qualifier: Chelle names Musa, 3 other home-based players in provisional list

    W/Cup Qualifier: Chelle names Musa, 3 other home-based players in provisional list

    Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has recalled former captain Ahmed Musa in a provisional list of players for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

    This is according to a statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Also included in the 39-man list are three other home-based players, namely; goalkeeper Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), and midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes).

    NAN reports that Musa, 32, the most capped Super Eagles player, last appeared for the Super Eagles in a warm-up game against Guinea in Abu Dhabi in January, 2024.

    He played the last seven minutes in a 2-0 loss to the Syli Stars.

    He has scored six goals and made two assists for Kano Pillars in the NPFL season thus far.

    Musa, who has won a record 110 caps and scored 18 goals, is now playing regularly in the NPFL for Kano Pillars after the mutual termination of his contract in Turkey in  2024.

    His leadership, both on and off the pitch, may have been the main consideration that swayed the decision of the new gaffer to recall him since the 2023 AFCON a year ago.

    NAN also reports that the list features a mix of experienced players and young talents, including first timers, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams.

    “Others named in the squad include; goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.

    “There are also goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

    “Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams are named for the first time,” Olajire said.

    Nigeria, fifth on the Group C log behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho, square up to leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.

    Full provisional list of 39 players for Rwanda, Zimbabwe

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

    Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).

    Others are; Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).

    Others are; Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

    Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain).

    Others are; Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).

  • CDS Musa clarifies visa denial by Canada

    CDS Musa clarifies visa denial by Canada

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military met all the requirements and passed through all the processes in respect of the recent visa application to Canadian High Commission.

    Musa made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, when he received the Armed Forces of Nigeria Contingent who won medals at the just concluded Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.

    He said that most people who made comments against Nigeria’s participation in the sporting event spoke from the point of ignorance.
    “On the issue of the denial of the visa, we must not travel abroad. Nigeria is good enough for all of us.

    “We had an agreement, we were invited, a programme was sent, we followed our requirements and the process.

    “Everybody knows members of the armed forces will never take shortcuts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the NSA, everybody is aware about this journey and we followed the process.

    “But for reasons best known to them, most of the teams remember, like the team captain did not go, the medical doctor was not there, the physiotherapist did not go.

    “All those that were important for the team were not given visas. And the question is why?

    “Well, I’m happy that the federal government is also looking at that aspect,’’ he said.

    Musa said it was important for people to understand that Nigerians deserve respect all over the world, adding that Nigeria must never accommodate disrespect from anybody.

    He commended participants in the games for making Nigeria proud, adding that they left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who have witnessed the journey.

    “You are the true embodiment of the invictus spirit, unconquered, unbroken and unstoppable,’’ he added.

    The issue of visa denial by Canada has in the past week dominated the national discourse with many frowning at the action of Canada.

  • CDS Musa on Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria: ‘I’m happy with his arrest in Finland’

    CDS Musa on Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria: ‘I’m happy with his arrest in Finland’

    The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen Chris Musa, has reacted to the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile.

    The CDS said he’s happy with Ekpa’s arrest in Finland.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau.

    Ekpa was arrested and remanded in detention by Finnish authorities over alleged links with terrorism.

    “CDS is happy with his (Ekpa) arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” the statement said.

    The court in Finland reportedly said Ekpa allegedly spread separatist propaganda on social media.

    It was reported that Ekpa allegedly committed the crime on 23 August 2021 in Lahti.

  • Protest: We are after only enemies of state – CDS Musa

    Protest: We are after only enemies of state – CDS Musa

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that the military and security agencies are after those behind the call for undemocratic change of government.

    Musa said this on Tuesday during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs at the Defense Headquarters.

    He said the military knew that some protesters calling for regime changes were sponsored, adding that the military and other security agencies were trailing them to bring them to book.

    “I want to appreciate Nigerians for their understanding, for their commitment to upholding the law and order.

    “We have had issues in the past few days, but you can see that people have seen reason for us not to continue with the destruction, to stop the looting, to stop giving opportunities for others to subvert our nation and to destroy our nation.

    “They have also seen reasons to join hands together with the security forces to make Nigeria better.

    “We want to assure them we on this side that we are fully committed to Nigeria, we love the country, we are mindful of the fact that we have been equipped and so we are duty bound to protect the country.

    “We are only after those that are against the states, not those that are innocent.

    “So I want to make that very clear and we will continue to work together as a team to support Mr President in achieving his mandate of peace and tranquility in our dear country Nigeria,” he said.

    The CDS called for the collaboration of all other agencies to ensure that they achieved success and called for calm, mediation, discussion, dialogue towards national unity and cohesion as one great country.

    He said the Nigerian military was people centric in all its activities, adding they were not interested in anybody being killed or injured or being prosecuted, except those that have crossed the line.

    He said the joint news conference was an opportunity to show that the military and all the security agencies were working as a team in line with the mandate of the president.

    “So this morning we’re here to give you some brief on the issue on ground, what we are doing, and then to have interactions with members of the Media,” he added.

    On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the main operational commitment of the army was to deploy resources to combat the protests that have turned riots to ensure sustainable peace in the country.

    Lagbaja said the army under his command was more concerned about bringing the country to a state of sustainable peace and security, adding that attention had not been diverted from its main operational commitment in combating terrorism and banditry.

    “I checked the number of patrols that troops conduct, the number of ambushes that are undertaken on daily basis, the number of violent insurgents that have been eliminated, incapacitated and other indices, and it has not dropped by whatever measure.

    “Also we have continued to expand the frontier of peace and security in Borno state.

    “Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) are being returned back to Kukawa and some other places as I speak to you, which are indices of return to peace and stability.

    “So the troops are not relenting in their operational commitment in the field on our contingency plan in the event that the situation degenerates.

    “I want to also assure you that our estimates looking into the future suggests that the situation will not degenerate but we need cooperation of every stakeholder in Nigeria to achieve that,” he said.

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said the navy had continued to work with other services and security agencies to ensure safety and security in the maritime domain.

    Ogalla reiterated the commitment of the navy to sustain its operations in the Niger Delta to ensure that the nation’s meets its oil production capacity

    He said the operations had led to increase in oil output and boost the revenue generation from oil that would help the nation to meet the needs of the citizens.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force remained committed to ensure successful operations in all operational engagements of the armed forces.

    He said the military was mindful of its commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

    The Chiefs of army, navy, air force and Defence as well as Inspector-General of Police and representative of the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), made presentations.

    Also in attendance are the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Commander-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

  • Meet the new Chief of Defence staff: What you need to know about Maj. Gen. C.G Musa

    Meet the new Chief of Defence staff: What you need to know about Maj. Gen. C.G Musa

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect.

    What you need to know about
    Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, the new Chief of Defence staff

    Maj-Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa was born in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria on December 25, 1967.

    Musa attained primary and secondary education in Sokoto state although he is originally from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Major-General Musa has attended all statutory Military Courses and Trainings both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

    The member of 38 regular course was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna State in 1986 where he underwent intense and rigorous military training for five years during a time the Nigerian military held political power in the country.

    In September 1991 he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Corps, one of the most difficult sections of the army.

    In 2021, he was redeployed to be the Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, where he was until his new appointment.

    Musa, who served as the 11th Theatre Commander OPHK, accelerated the amnesty programme for repentant terrorists.

    Under his watch, Nigeria took delivery of the Super Tucano aircraft from the United States Government, which has been used in bombarding terrorists’ enclaves, forcing many of them to either surrender or flee westwards.

    Also, under Musa’s watch, over 47,975 terrorists and their families have surrendered to troops, according to military authorities.

  • CAR shocking defeat: Rohr, Musa apologise to Nigerians, vow to make amends in Douala

    CAR shocking defeat: Rohr, Musa apologise to Nigerians, vow to make amends in Douala

    Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, and captain Ahmed Musa have apologised to Nigerians after the team’s loss to the Central African Republic (CAR) in their last 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com,TNG reports that the Eagles suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in Lagos to end their 100 per cent start to the World Cup qualifiers.

    With the result, it’s the first time in 40 years that Nigeria lost a World Cup qualifying match at home, since the Eagles last lost in Lagos to Algeria in the qualifiers for Espana ’82 in 1981.

    Speaking after their closed door training on Friday in Lagos, Musa said they were motivated to pick up the maximum points in Douala.

    “As you can see on the faces of the players, all of us are still sad about Thursday’s game, but there is nothing we can do about it other than to leave that in the past and focus on Sunday’s game.

    “We’ve talked to ourselves in the dressing room before we came out for training and we know the importance of the game. We are not going there for a draw but a win.

    “We want to apologise to Nigerians because we know they are sad about the result but that’s football. Come Sunday we will get the result they wanted from us. We are focused and we will go there to win and have nine points,” Musa said in an interview with The Punch.

    Rohr on his part admitted the players made some mistakes but said they remained focused and will come back victorious.

    He said, “I think everybody knows that we made some mistakes and despite playing a good game we didn’t score and if you don’t score you cannot win. We regret those mistakes and now is not the time to speak but to react on the field and show in the second match that we have a better team.”

    TNG reports that the Eagles are due to arrive Douala today for the match-day 4 clash on Sunday.

    The team will leave the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos today aboard new Nigeria Football Federation partners Air Peace.

  • Musa, Uzoho, Ozornwafor to start against Cameroon – Rohr

    Musa, Uzoho, Ozornwafor to start against Cameroon – Rohr

    The trio of Ahmed Musa, Francis Uzoho and Valentine Ozornwafor will start for the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s friendly game against Cameroon in Austria.

    This was revealed by Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr after the team’s training session on Monday in preparation for the second friendly against the five-time AFCON champions.

    Uzoho was benched in the first game against the Indomitable Lions on Friday while Musa and Ozornwafor came on in the second half.

    In a chat with the Super Eagles media: “Observations are positive because some of the players who arrived from Nigeria were not so fit for the first game. They have now recovered well and we should be better physically,” he told Super Eagles media.

    “There will be some changes in the team, Francis Uzoho will be in goal, (Ahmed) Musa will start because he is fit, we lost Troost-Ekong so Valentine (Ozornwafor) will come in for the first time.

    “There matches are made to test some players who have not played so much and also to have new organization maybe try something different and we want to win it also because we have never won in Austria after four games.“

    Rohr added that winning the game against Cameroon is not the most important thing for his team but rather to see what the new players can offer.

    “The most important thing is not the result, the most important is to progress to learn to work. We have 16 players who could not come, five central defenders, two defensive midfielders (Joe) Aribo, (Frank) Onyekuru, all the strikers could not come, the wingers, (Samuel) Kalu, Henry (Onyekuru), (Victor) Osimhen, Simy (Nwankwo) and (Umar) Sadiq also could not come because of the play-offs.

    “It is a different camping but we have some experience now, we are interested in the new players and what they can do in this match against Cameroon.“

  • International friendly: Rohr picks Musa, Ekong, 22 others for Cameroon

    International friendly: Rohr picks Musa, Ekong, 22 others for Cameroon

    Coach Gernot Rohr has selected captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong and home boys John Noble and Anayo Iwuala among the 24 Super Eagles who will do battle with five-time African champions Cameroon in a prestige friendly in Austria on Friday next week.

    The list also has goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Simy Nwankwo,

    Turkey –based former U20 defender Valentine Ozornwafor, Denmark –based midfielder Frank Onyeka and Lorient FC of France’s Terem Moffi are also included.

    Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times but have been bumped by Cameroon in the final of the competition on three other occasions, defeated the Indomitable Lions 3-0 in a friendly in Belgium in October 2015, and have not lost to the Lions in regulation time since a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Yaounde on 27th August 1989.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

    Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands); Valentine Ozornwafor (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)

    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Abraham Marcus (CD Feirense, Portugal)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars FC); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba FC); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Simy Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy)

  • Banning supporters from stadium will not affect our play, says Musa

    Banning supporters from stadium will not affect our play, says Musa

    Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa says the team will ensure that CAF’s restriction of not allowing spectators at match venues for AFCON 2021 Qualifiers, did not affect their play to win, as they file out against the Leone stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia statidum in Benin.

    Speaking at a pre match conference ahead of Friday’s clash, Musa said: ” It is something we all would have liked, to play before a big home crowd, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic protocol will not allow fans to come into the stadium. But they should not worry because most of us are already used to playing in our clubs without fans and are used to it”.

    He added: ” We will play as a team knowing that our supporters are out there with us in spirit.

    “As for concern over my fitness, I am very fit and ready for the game. I have been training with my last team until I left two weeks ago.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the 28-year-old recently left the Saudi Pro League side Al Nassar, eight-time Saudi Professional League champions, after just two years.