The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called for a shift towards non-kinetic approaches to security challenges, emphasising the need to win the hearts and minds of citizens.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN), Gen. Musa highlighted the importance of positive national discourse and the role of all sectors of society in defeating security threats.
Gen. Musa emphasised the power of positive speech, stating, “There must be a nation before you can even discuss it, and that is very critical. We must learn how to be positive about our country; that’s the only way we can produce.”
He also assured that the federal government would continue to provide the armed forces and security agencies with the necessary resources despite economic challenges.
In addition, Major General Garba Wahab (rtd), the Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, called for the inclusion of journalists in the planning and execution of military operations to counter negative reports on security activities.
He emphasised the need to address biased reporting that undermines national security and interest.
Rear Admiral Yaninu Musa (rtd), the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, identified challenges such as the malicious use of artificial intelligence, lack of collaboration among security agencies, and scarce resources as significant obstacles to effective security management in the country.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to address these challenges and strive for improvement.
The discussions at the seminar shed light on the complexities of security management in Nigeria and the importance of a multi-faceted approach that includes collaboration with various sectors of society. As the country grapples with security threats, the emphasis on non-kinetic approaches and the call for positive national discourse signals a shift in the military’s approach to addressing security challenges.
