By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Nigeria’s top military officers billed to lead the Nigerian military sports entourage to the 2025 edition of the Invictus Winter Games were denied entry visas to attend one of the most prestigious global military sports fiesta organized to honour war veterans.
The entourage to the games from Africa’s largest sporting nation were billed to be led by the country’s Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, who is the highest military ranking officer in Nigerian military hierarchy .
The Nigerian delegation comprising of over 70 officers were scheduled to be led by the CDS , General Christopher to attend the Invictus Winter Games 2025 .
The CDS and some members of his delegation mostly senior military officers were denied the requisite travelling authorization by the Canadian visa issuance regulatory officials.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu have expressed dismay over the visa denial act .
Ribadu, expressed his displeasure last Thursday , while speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja.
Ribadu who was visibly upset by the development ,said the visa denial was “disrespectful” fuming he further said Canada “can go to hell.”
Earlier in his remarks, Gen Musa disclosed that he and some senior military officers were denied visa entry into Canada to attend the games
Musa alleged that half of his team were granted the visa, while the Canadian visa officials denied him and some top military brass the visas .
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 was scheduled to hold from 9-16 February 2025 .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex were amongst global dignitaries that had graced this year’s edition of the games.
The Canadian high commission in Nigeria through its social media handles have commented on the circumstances surrounding the visa denial treatment meted to Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and others.
Last Friday, the Canadian high commission on its social media handle said “The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel to Canada by senior officials,”
“However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to provide any comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals.”
