By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi has bemoaned the fate that befell the President of Chad, Idriss Derby, saying Nigeria may be the worst hit by his death.
He said the Federal Government has started taking steps to beef up security around the border areas linking Chad, noting that no stone will be left unturned to mitigate the effects of the Chad crisis on Nigeria, especially the influx of refugees.
The Chadian President, Idriss Derby having won a sixth term in office following a recent election, went to the battle field to assist his military troops repel attacks by insurgents, where he unfortunately met his untimely death.
Although his son, General Mahamat Kaka has since taken leadership of the country, following his nomination by the Supreme Military Council, the Nigerian government said its decision to man the border areas was also to forestall the influx of arms and ammunition.
Magashi also bemoaned the killing of eleven soldiers in Benue State, insisting that the federal government won’t take such incidents lightly.
The Defence Minister made these remarks on Thursday, at the special weekly briefing coordinated by the Presidential Media Team.
He disclosed that weapons that were carted away by the attackers have been retrieved, while a good number of the perpetrators have been captured and undergoing further investigation before prosecution.