The Canadian Embassy in Nigeria has denied visas to the country’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and several senior military officers for an official engagement.
According to sources, the visa refusals were linked to allegations of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army, including the reported bombing of civilians areas.
Speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, condemned the decision, stating that Canada “can go to hell.”
Gen. Musa also expressed frustration over the incident, revealing that he and his team were invited to an event in Canada honoring war veterans but were denied entry.
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honor our veterans, those injured in battles, and we were supposed to be there,” Musa said.
“We were invited with our team. Half have gone, and half have been denied. It’s very disappointing. This is a clear reminder that we must stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted.”
Reacting to the situation, Ribadu criticized the visa denial, calling it an act of disrespect.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu declared.
“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong. I agree with you—it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work.”
He further praised the CDS for his leadership in tackling insecurity, emphasizing that security agencies are now working together to address threats across the country.
