The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has described the decision of Canadian authorities to deny visas to Nigerian military leaders as a “serious affront” on the country’s dignity.
During an event in Abuja on Thursday, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had expressed displeasure at the Canadian High Commission for denying the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other army chiefs visas.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” the NSA said.
In a statement issued yesterday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, Sunday Iyogun, Matawalle criticised the Canadian authorities for the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
The minister said Nigeria must not take a passive stance on the development, adding that there was need to investigate the reasons for the visa denial.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity,” he said.