CDS admits insecurity can’t be resolved through military force alone
Christopher Musa
• NSA advocates control of illicit arms to defeat terrorism, FG destroys over 3,867 weapons
• More lives lost in Benue despite military presence, says commissioner
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, has said Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved by military intervention alone, but require a comprehensive, collaborative strategy rooted in justice, good governance and community engagement.
This was as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed that Nigeria would defeat the current wave of terrorism through concerted government efforts and citizen unity, by controlling illicit arms proliferation.
However, Benue State Commissioner for Power and Transportation, Omale Omale, said the state still loses lives and property despite military presence.
Speaking yesterday during the launch of the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative and North Central Peace Summit in Jos, Plateau State, the CDS called for the fencing of Nigeria’s porous borders and the creation of a national database for citizens and foreigners to improve intelligence gathering and curb the movement of terrorists and transnational criminals.
“Insecurity cannot be resolved through military force alone. It requires a multi-pronged approach that includes good governance, justice, equity and community involvement. When people feel safe, heard and treated fairly, society thrives. Without fairness and justice, security efforts will remain limited,” the CDS stated.
He urged political leaders to provide decisive and responsible leadership, adding that the military remained committed to supporting all lawful efforts aimed at securing the country.
Representing Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ephraim Usman, reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to grassroots peacebuilding. He noted that sustainable peace must be community-driven and locally sustained.
The summit was organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs Abiodun Essiet, to foster unity and proactive conflict resolution strategies in the region.
THE NSA, at the public destruction of illicitly acquired decommissioned and unserviceable Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in Abuja, yesterday, said: “The failure of the global community to effectively control the availability of illicit SALW has continued to undermine global peace and significantly hinder development, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We recognise the complexity of the challenges of controlling the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria and the requirement for concerted action among the government, international community and all well-meaning Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).”
Nonetheless, he expressed the resolve of his office to galvanise strengths and unity as a nation to confront the challenges, adding: “I am optimistic that we shall surmount them.”
He pointed out that the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in 2021 was a historic step towards addressing the problem of small arms proliferation through an institutional platform that would structurally address all underlying contributors to national security threats within international protocols.
THE Benue commissioner, in an interview on Arise TV, yesterday, appreciated the role of the military in managing or attempting to manage the insecurity ravaging the state.
No fewer than 25 persons were confirmed dead following an attack by suspected herdsmen on Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Council of the state.
He said the investigation was ongoing into the alleged death of a resident of Apa at the hands of the military, when the women of the area were carrying out a peaceful protest against the killing of their children.
“We thought the presence of the military would ward off invaders, but we keep seeing a surge of invaders and their activities. The people expect that the military would engage invaders immediately as they troop into communities.”
GUARDIAN Newspapers