Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called for a whole-of-society approach to tackling Boko Haram insurgency, warning that Boko Haram cannot be defeated by military might alone.
Speaking on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book authored by his predecessor, former Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor, Musa praised Irabor’s service and described the occasion as “significant,” coinciding with the retired general’s 60th birthday.
The CDS stressed that defeating Boko Haram requires unity and deliberate national effort beyond the military. “Boko Haram can be defeated. It is a whole-of-society approach to the solution, it is not a one-off thing. It must be deliberate. As long as we don’t love and look at ourselves as our brothers’ keepers, this cannot end. We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters and it is not magic. It must be deliberate,” he declared.
He paid tribute to his predecessor’s service and legacy. “I stand here today not only as his successor but also as one who has benefited immensely from his towering example, steady mentorship, and inspiring leadership. His footprint across our nation’s military history remains indelible, particularly in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.”
The CDS described Irabor as a “soldier’s soldier” whose courage, discipline, intellect and integrity left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s armed forces, especially in the fight against terrorism. He said, “General Lucky Irabor, our immediate past chief of defence staff, today is significant as it also marks the celebration of his 60th birthday, a milestone that not only reflects the grace of God but a lifetime of service, sacrifice and enduring patriotism. He is a soldiers soldiers, who resonates with courage, discipline, intellect and integrity.”
He recalled dire predictions that Nigeria would disintegrate by 2015 but said resilience had kept the country standing. “Not too long ago, some people prophesied that by 2015 Nigeria would disintegrate. I am sure they are surprised that Nigeria is still standing and standing strong. It shows our resilience, but we must go further than that.”
Musa also outlined broader security reforms, calling for stronger institutions and community participation. “Our approach must be dynamic and inclusive, engaging all sectors of society through a whole-of-society strategy. National security being strictly the responsibility of security agencies needs to be readdressed.
“We also need to strengthen our institutions such as the judiciary to speed up bringing culprits to the book. Furthermore, the capacity of all security agents must be enhanced to ensure they play their roles professionally and diligently. The family institution is also critical, national security starts with the family as it is the unit of every society,” he explained.
He concluded by urging Nigeria to address the root causes of insecurity such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. “Community engagement with the local community to build trust and help gather necessary intelligence is very necessary. Everyone has a role to play. Regional corporation and collaboration. Lastly, we must address the root causes such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment, and ensure citizens have a voice,” he added.
Nancy Mbamalu
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