Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians to unite in order to overcome insurgency and insecurity.
He made the appeal on Friday during the public presentation of SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book written by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
General Musa emphasised that military action alone cannot end the Boko Haram crisis, calling on citizens to embrace peace and nationhood.
“For Nigeria to progress, we must approach this issue honestly and clearly to find lasting solutions. The military effort accounts for only about 25 to 30 per cent of the solution,” he stated.
Drawing lessons from other nations, Musa cited Singapore as a model of resilience, stressing that unity is vital in defeating insurgency.
“As long as we fail to love one another and refuse to see ourselves as our brother’s keepers, this will persist. If we truly want it to end, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. It requires deliberate effort, not magic,” he said.
Musa further noted that only Nigerians can transform their country, adding: “If we are determined to move forward, we must deliberately and consciously make Nigeria great. No one else will do it for us.”
Addressing the Boko Haram threat, Musa described it as a challenge requiring a “whole-of-society approach,” arguing that it should have been addressed much earlier.
He explained that asymmetric warfare differs from conventional wars: “In conventional warfare, you fight states. Asymmetric warfare means the enemy is within — it could be your father, brother, or mother. Because ideology drives it, it is not visible on the forehead; solutions must address the mindset as well as the external threat.”
The CDS also warned about foreign actors contributing to instability and called for African nations to take responsibility for their own security.
“There are external forces determined to see us fail. We must not let them succeed. Working together, we will prevail. Africans must confront these challenges ourselves rather than relying on others,” he said.
General Musa praised former CDS General Lucky Irabor for his discipline and lasting contributions to Nigeria’s security.
“His impact on the nation’s military is enduring, especially in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. Even in retirement, he continues to contribute to solving the country’s security challenges,” he added.