General Christopher Musa Calls for Holistic Solutions to Nigeria’s Security Challenges
In a powerful and timely message, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has made it clear that military intervention alone is not enough to solve the widespread insecurity affecting the country. Speaking at the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative and the North Central Peace Summit in Jos, Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that prioritizes justice, good governance, and active community participation.
This critical perspective is one that many Nigerians have echoed for years: that peace and security cannot be achieved through force alone. NaijaRush brings you a detailed look at what General Musa said, why it matters, and how leaders across the country are responding to Nigeria’s growing security crisis.
Why Military Alone Cannot Solve Nigeria’s Security Problems
Nigeria has faced decades of complex security challenges—from Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to banditry and farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central and North-West, as well as separatist movements in the South-East and criminal activities in the South-South. Despite the massive deployment of military forces across the country, these issues persist.
General Christopher Musa did not mince words:
“Insecurity cannot be resolved through military force alone,” he said. “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.”
This quote highlights a major shift in thinking from traditional military strategy to community-based peacebuilding. The General’s words suggest that even the best-equipped army cannot succeed without the support of the people and strong leadership at every level of governance.
Border Security and National Database: The Way Forward
One of the key recommendations from General Musa is the urgent need for the federal government to secure Nigeria’s borders and implement a comprehensive national database. According to him, doing this will help:
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Strengthen intelligence gathering,
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Track and monitor the movement of people, including foreigners,
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Prevent the infiltration of terrorists and transnational criminals.
This is especially critical in Nigeria’s North Central zone, where porous borders have allowed dangerous elements to enter and operate freely. Without a solid national identification system and digital records, tracking these individuals becomes nearly impossible.
“We need to secure our borders and have a reliable database of both citizens and foreigners. This will greatly enhance our security capabilities,” General Musa stated.
This recommendation aligns with the concerns raised by security experts who believe Nigeria must invest more in technology, surveillance, and data analytics to combat crime effectively.
Leadership and Community Involvement Are Essential
Beyond military and intelligence strategies, General Musa stressed the role of leadership and community participation in securing lasting peace in Nigeria.
“It requires a multi-pronged approach... When people feel safe, heard, and treated fairly, society thrives.”
In line with this, General Musa called on political leaders at all levels to provide strong, visionary, and responsible leadership. He assured Nigerians that the military will continue to support all lawful efforts aimed at restoring peace and order in the country.
“The military remains committed to supporting all lawful efforts to ensure national security.”
His message was not just a warning, but also a call to action—especially for political leaders who must do more than just deploy troops. They must ensure that justice and fairness prevail, and that communities have a real voice in how they are governed.
Plateau State Emphasizes Grassroots Peacebuilding
At the summit, Plateau State was represented by Ephraim Usman, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who spoke on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Usman made it clear that Plateau State is committed to building peace from the grassroots level.
“Sustainable peace must be locally driven and community-led,” Usman stated.
This statement aligns with the overall theme of the summit: that peacebuilding must begin within communities, not just from Abuja. When local leaders—such as traditional rulers, religious figures, and community-based organizations—take ownership of peace initiatives, the results are often more effective and long-lasting.
The Role of the Office of the President in Community Engagement
The Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative was created by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs. Abiodun Essiet. This office organized the North Central Peace Summit in Jos with the goal of fostering peace, unity, and proactive conflict resolution strategies across the region.
In her remarks, Mrs. Essiet emphasized the importance of embracing Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity:
“Peace is fundamental to development. We must learn to embrace our ethnic and cultural diversity as a strength.”
Her message serves as a reminder that diversity is not a weakness, as often portrayed in divisive political rhetoric. Instead, it can be harnessed to build stronger communities and a more united Nigeria.
Lawmakers Call for Collective Action
Also speaking at the summit was Senator Simon Lalong, who represents Plateau South in the National Assembly. Lalong, a former governor of the state, urged all stakeholders—including government agencies, traditional rulers, civil society, and ordinary citizens—to work together to tackle insecurity.
“No single group can address this challenge alone. We need to work together—government, traditional rulers, civil society, and citizens—to defeat insecurity.”
His remarks reinforce the idea that unity and collaboration are crucial in finding lasting solutions to the nation’s numerous security threats.
A United Front for Peace in North Central Nigeria
The North Central Peace Summit saw participation from traditional rulers, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and community influencers from across the region. This wide representation shows that the desire for peace is not limited to government officials—it is shared by people at all levels of society.
The event created a platform for dialogue, understanding, and strategy development. With a unified voice, participants agreed that lasting peace must be built through trust, justice, accountability, and inclusion.
Conclusion: Nigeria Needs More Than Soldiers—It Needs Solutions
General Christopher Musa’s bold statement is a wake-up call for Nigeria: security is everyone’s responsibility. While the military plays a vital role in fighting terrorism and protecting the nation, true peace can only come from justice, good leadership, and active citizen engagement.
From securing borders and creating a national database to promoting grassroots peacebuilding and fostering unity among ethnic groups, Nigeria must adopt a comprehensive and sustainable strategy.
As we face 2025 and beyond, leaders at all levels must heed this message and act—not just with weapons and policies, but with empathy, fairness, and collaboration. Only then can Nigeria truly overcome its security challenges and build a future of peace and prosperity for all.
