Nigeria to Retaliate Against Canada Over Visa Denial to Defence Chief – Minister Matawalle

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has vowed that Nigeria will respond assertively to Canada’s refusal to grant visas to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officials.

In a statement released by Iyogun Sunday, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, Matawalle described the visa denial as a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and dignity, emphasizing that the country would not tolerate such disrespect on the global stage.

The Nigerian delegation, led by General Musa, was scheduled to attend a high-profile event in Canada honoring Nigerian war veterans. However, Canada’s embassy reportedly denied visas to half of the officials, sparking outrage in Nigeria’s defence and diplomatic circles.

Matawalle condemned the incident as more than a routine bureaucratic decision, calling it a diplomatic slight against Nigeria.

> “This is not just an administrative error; it is a deliberate act that undermines our national integrity. Nigeria is a sovereign nation, and we will not allow any country to treat our officials with such disregard,” he declared.

The minister further called for an immediate and thorough investigation into Canada’s actions, warning that if a satisfactory explanation is not provided, Nigeria would take necessary countermeasures.

The visa denial has ignited concerns about Canada’s treatment of Nigerian military officials and the broader state of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier criticized the Canadian embassy for its handling of the situation. Speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, General Musa himself expressed disappointment, describing the situation as a wake-up call for Nigeria.

> “We must stand strong as a nation. This incident should remind us never to be underestimated on the international stage,” Musa remarked.

With tensions escalating, diplomatic watchers are keenly observing how Nigeria will respond. Will Canada offer an apology or justification, or will this spark a broader diplomatic standoff? Only time will tell.