Bello Matawalle Warns Africa of Rising Security Threats
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has warned that Africa faces dangerous and fast-changing security threats. He told defence chiefs from across the continent that only strong collaboration and modern technology can keep terrorist groups and other threats in check.
Speaking at the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday, Matawalle made it clear. He said Africa cannot afford to treat its security crisis as business as usual. The minister declared, “These challenges are complex, transnational, and increasingly asymmetric. Tackling them requires not just resilience but also strong continental cooperation.”
Matawalle, who represented Defence Minister Mohammed Abubakar at the high-level gathering, also used the moment to remind the continent that the era of waiting for outside powers to fix African problems has passed. According to him, “Africa’s security must be driven by Africa’s solutions, leadership, and unity,” He also highlighted Nigeria’s frontline role in peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and humanitarian operations both within the region and beyond. He pointed out that Nigerian troops have shed blood and sweat in missions designed to keep the continent safe, and Abuja will not step back from that responsibility.
Terrorist Groups Exploiting Weak Intelligence Links
The minister also warned that soldiers with guns alone cannot win today’s wars. He told his colleagues that groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab continue to wreak havoc in parts of Africa because they exploit digital spaces and weak intelligence networks. He said, “The future of warfare is digital. As defence ministers, we must invest in cyberdefence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military technologies,” he said.
The minister urged African countries to see technology as a weapon just as powerful as tanks and fighter jets. He stressed that data, intelligence, and artificial intelligence tools can expose networks of insurgents, predict attacks, and cut off the digital lifelines of terrorist groups. He explained that “A digital solution is needed to defeat some of the enemies threatening the territorial integrity of nations in Africa.*
Matawalle Calls For Trust Among Africa’s Defence Institutions
Matawalle pressed for greater trust among defence institutions across the continent. This is because secrecy and suspicion only give terrorist groups an advantage. Additionally, he mentioned that no single country can scale the continent alone. Hence, we must work together to share intelligence and build trust among defence institutions.
His call is in line with the growing recognition that the threats facing Africa are beyond a single country’s. Bandits are in Nigeria, jihadists in the Sahel, pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, and cybercriminals across major cities often link up in ways that national armies struggle to confront. Therefore, Matawalle is pushing Africa’s military chiefs to close ranks and think beyond narrow national interests. urging cooperation. The Defence Minister also highlighted the summit as a chance for Africans to stop chasing trends set in Washington, Moscow, or Beijing and instead set the pace for the world.
If you enjoyed this article, explore more insightful stories on iNaijanow and join the conversation on our Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube for fun, engaging, and up-to-date content.
- Nigerians in the US Cry Out About Sudden Visa Cancellations, Embassy Reacts
- Jonathan Warns Keyamo and Odinkalu To Stay Off His Political Journey
- Critics Slam Rivers State LG Polls as “Democratic Scam”
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of iNaijanow. The company assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information.
