- On Friday, the Canadian high commission in Nigeria said it will not comment on the circumstances around the issue.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has condemned Canadian authorities’ decision to deny visas to Nigerian military leaders as a “serious affront” to national dignity.
During an Abuja event, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, expressed discontent with the Canadian High Commission’s visa denial to Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other army chiefs.
The military leaders were scheduled to attend a Canadian event honouring war veterans, but their visa applications were rejected.
The development sparked varied reactions on social media and beyond.
On Friday, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the issue.
In a Saturday statement, Defence Ministry spokesperson, Sunday Iyogun, quoted Matawalle criticising Canadian authorities’ treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
Matawalle urged Nigeria not to adopt a passive stance on the development.
He advocated investigating the reasons behind the visa denial.
Matawalle stated, “This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity.”
He added, “If no satisfactory explanation is provided, we must be prepared to respond appropriately and assertively.”
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