By Prosper Olayiwola

Newly sworn-in Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), on Thursday vowed to ensure a safer and more secure Nigeria, saying the outpouring of goodwill from citizens since his nomination and confirmation has strengthened his resolve to deliver results.

Speaking to journalists at the State House shortly after taking his oath of office before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Chief of Defence Staff said Nigerians can look forward to a future where they go about their daily lives without fear of criminal elements.

“I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work, whatever it takes, to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.

General Musa, returning to a sector he once led as the country’s top military officer, said his immediate priority would be to reinvigorate the defence architecture and strengthen collaboration among all security agencies.

“My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country. The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies, and all Nigerians being carried along, as we have always said, security is everybody’s responsibility,” he stated.

According to him, rebuilding and sustaining that synergy will be central to the administration’s push for lasting peace.

“It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on, and that’s what we’re going to do. I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results,” the minister added.

On his briefing with President Tinubu, Musa said the President was unequivocal in his directive that Nigeria must be secured to enable citizens to live normally again.

“He reiterated his mind on the aspect that we must make sure Nigeria is secured. Nigerians should go back and sleep with their eyes closed, go back to their farms, and schools should open without being molested,” he told reporters.

Musa said all efforts going forward will align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to create a secure environment for economic growth, education, agriculture, and community life.

“Everyone is being carried together to make sure that Nigeria continues to grow in line with the Renewed Hope programme of Mr. President,” he said.

Seven suspected bandits were nabbed along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources have confirmed.

According to sources, the suspects, all identified as Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at around 6:00 p.m. on 2 December 2025. A search of their mobile phones reportedly revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s.

During interrogation, the suspects claimed they had traveled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing to recover any actual firearms and to determine their possible involvement in criminal activities.

Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling from October 4, 2024, that prohibits the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping, impounding, or seizing vehicles, as well as imposing fines on motorists.

The appellate court’s decision affirmed the lower court’s ruling, dealing a significant blow to the agency’s enforcement powers.

A three-member panel of the appellate court delivered a judgment on Thursday, resolving the three issues identified for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, thereby upholding the lower court’s decision.

Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the appeal was without merit. She awarded a cost of N1million against the appellant and in favour of the respondent, a rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

Previously, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had ruled that the Directorate of Road Services (widely known as VIO) should cease confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians over road traffic violations.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha said while delivering judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on October 2, 2024, that the notorious road traffic inspectorate was not legally equipped to seize vehicles or impose severe sanctions on motorists.

The judgment, which followed a lawsuit by rights attorney Mr Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, significantly pruned the powers of one of the country’s most dreaded road traffic enforcers and brought respite to millions of motorists across the country.

The order did not apply to the Federal Road Safety Corps, which has operated for decades as the largest body of road traffic marshals in Nigeria.

In her judgment, Ms Maha said VIO officers “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fine on motorists.”

Subsequently, the judge entered an order of perpetual injunction restraining the VIO and its agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on its behalf from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.