Canada Responds to Reports of Visa Denial for Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Military Officers

The Canadian government has reacted to reports claiming it denied visas to Nigeria’s Defence Chief and other top military officers, clarifying its stance on the issue.

The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has responded to reports regarding the supposed refusal of visas for General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), along with other senior Nigerian military officials.

In a statement issued on Friday, the High Commission acknowledged that they are aware of the media reports but refrained from discussing specific visa applications due to confidentiality policies.

“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports concerning the planned travel of senior officials. However, due to privacy considerations, we cannot comment on the visa application status for specific individuals,” stated the announcement.

It was previously reported that Nigerian officials were invited to an event in Canada to honor war veterans. Although some members of the delegation received visas, others were denied entry, leading to frustration.

Speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa voiced his disappointment with the situation, describing it as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria.

He emphasized that it’s important for us to be self-reliant, remain strong as a nation, and not allow ourselves to be taken for granted.

In response to the development, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu harshly criticized the visa denials, labeling them as “disrespectful” and stating that “Canada can go to hell.”