Tag: CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has warned people of the South East to stop propagating activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He said sharing unverified information could be injurious to their society and Nigeria as a whole.

The CDS gave the warning on Thursday when he visited the Obi Eze Ana-Uku, Eze Igulube of Omor, in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

General Musa said IPOB activities are not only inimical to the South East region but the whole country, hence should not be supported by the people. 

Represented by Group Captain Ibrahim Bukar, who led a team of Defence Correspondents to the South East to appraise the impact of the non-kinetic aspect of Operation UDO KA, a military onslaught against IPOB and other criminals in the region.

He condemned the trend of spreading unverified content by IPOB and other terrorist groups, emphasising that community cooperation is crucial in effectively addressing insecurity.

He said, “People should have trust in the military, because the military belongs to them.

“They should always provide us with actionable information. When you see something, say something. It is through this that we can be able to tackle the challenges of insecurity together, and restore lasting peace in our communities and the country.”

The CDS emphasised that the military would always stand with the people and be impartial in all its operations.

He said: “We are only after the bad guys, and protect the good people of this country against the activities of the bad ones.

“In case of communal crisis between communities, we aim to restore peace to affected communities.

“We are impatial in our operations. We don’t support any community against the other. Our role is to make sure that people do not kill each other or destroy properties.”

General Musa assured that the military would continue to discharge its constitutional duties to make the country peaceful and secure for economic activities to thrive.

Earlier, the Eze Igulube of Omor praised the efforts of the Armed Forces in combating insecurity in his kingdom.

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He said the commitment of the military personnel in ensuring peace and security in his community has not gone unnoticed, appreciating their tireless efforts to create a safe and secure environment for his people to pursue their economic activities.

He said the military’s presence has brought a sense of relief to his communities, and commended their bravery and dedication to duty.

The monarch pledged his community’s readiness to cooperate further with the military to ensure improved security.

“Our people are predominantly farmers, peace-loving and accommodating, and ready to give credible information that will help the military improve our security,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged the National Assembly to allocate more funds to the military to enable it effectively tackle the security challenges across the country.

Gen. Musa said for the military to effectively fight terrorism and other security threats it was essential it has the necessary resources to effectively tackle these challenges.

The CDS spoke on Monday at the Regimental Dinner and Award Night from Officers in commemoration of the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

He said: “We know the budget defence will commence very soon, and we are looking forward to a bumper harvest.”

The CDS said the occasion was not only for remembering the sacrifice of our fallen heroes who have laid down their lives to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, “but also celebrate the doggedness and bravery of our officers across the armed forces. We honour the memories of our departed, their accomplishments, loyalty and dedication that they embodied.

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“We further recognise the unwavering effort of our armed forces to address the security challenges and promote peace in our region. We commend the bravery, resilience and commitment to duty by all our strong men. The families of our fallen heroes we reassure you that their sacrifice will never forgotten.

“ As we continue to support and ensure that their memories are honoured and celebrated, let us also recognize the contribution of our veterans who have served our nation with distinction and honour, including those who are currently serving across various military formations and institutions.”

Gen. Musa thanked for chiefs of defence staff and service chiefs for their immense contribution to the development of the Armed Forces.

“Your actions inspire not only our peers but also the upcoming generation,” he said.

“As we move forward, we must continue to work together to address the various challenges across every structure of the country, by fostering the spirit of unity, cooperation and collective responsibility.

“We owe it to our fallen heroes to ensure that they their sacrifices do not go in vain.”

…assures improved security in 2025

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has issued a strong warning to citizens, cautioning them against engaging in any form of trading or transactions with terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors.

This warning is crucial in light of reports that some unpatriotic elements have been trading with these groups, thereby sabotaging the efforts of the military and other security agencies.

The CDS’s warning serves as a timely reminder of the importance of prioritising national security and safety above personal interests or financial gain.

General Musa issued the warning on Wednesday, December 25, during an interview with journalists after visiting patients at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Medical Centre, as part of the Christmas celebrations which coincided with his birthday.

The Defence Chief stated that the military and other security agencies had made significant progress in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in 2024 and assured that more would be achieved in the coming year.

He said: “I think since we started to where we are today, there is a remarkable improvement in the security situation, and we are going to take that further. That is why I said next year is defining. This means that we will do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria is peaceful. We are going to put every effort in to ensure that we continue to live in peace. It’s not automatic, but I know if we have the cooperation of Nigerians, that is possible because God is with us always. We are going to make sure that Nigeria is better for everyone.

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“The mistakes that were made in the past when this thing (terrorism/banditry) started were that we did not nip it in the bud. We allowed it to get to where it is. But thank God everybody is putting their hands together and we are very happy Nigerians are warming up. We are getting a lot of support from Nigerians, a lot of prayers, and a lot of information on things that are happening everywhere. We must continue to do that.

“I want to also call on those few who think they are making money by trading with those terrorists and bandits. Those terrorists and bandits have no respect for anybody. Once you think you are trading with them, they are going to come after you. If they don’t come after you, they will come after either your relations – your brother, your sister, your wife, or your husband. So, please, nobody should trade with those individuals.

“If we do not encourage them, and we do not trade with them, they will not survive. That is the important message we are conveying.”

General Musa said he was at the medical centre to support and pray for sick soldiers and their families, as well as the medical personnel whom he said were doing their best in taking care of the patients.

He said the new DHQ hospital would be completed next year, which he promised would provide improved medical services to the members of the Armed Forces and their families. 

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has urged newly decorated Major Generals to make 2025 a determining year in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country. 

This call to action comes as the military continues to grapple with the challenges of terrorism and insecurity in various parts of the country.

The CDS, who spoke at the decoration ceremony of 35 newly promoted Army Major Generals at the Command Officers Mess in Abuja, said their promotion to the enviable rank of Major General was a clear indication that there is reward for hard work in the Armed Forces.

By making 2025 a determining year in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country, the CDS was setting a high bar for the newly decorated Major Generals and the military as a whole. 

He said:”We have been dealing with insurgencies, terrorism, banditry for 15, 16 years and still counting and I think it is high time that we dealt with it finally and I know we can do it. So I want to call on all of us to put on our thinking caps and make that great sacrifice that 2025 should be a determining year for the armed forces of Nigeria.

“Having reached the peak of your careers, always remember that the Nigerian Army and the armed forces will continue to rely on the leadership and expertise of individuals like you to safeguard our country and its people. Nigeria is looking up to us. We must do everything to defend democracy in Nigeria and across the sub-region. It is a duty and a task for all of us to perform. 

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“Our nation is going through so much and it takes men of steel and character for us to succeed and that is what we aim for. The rank of Major General signifies not only a high level of responsibility but also a deep sense of duty towards our country and its people. I therefore, congratulate you and your families on achieving this laudable feat. Today is, however, not only a day for celebration but also a clarion call to the tasks ahead.”

The CDS charged the newly decorated Major Generals and other officers of the Armed Forces to remain committed in the task ahead, not thinking of self but the nation, and uphold democratic governance and loyalty to constituted authority.

Gen. Musa also charged them to improve the welfare of the troops under their command. He cautioned them to be “mindful of their actions and careful with your words and utterances” and most importantly key into the vision of the Chief of Army Staff and that of the Armed Forces orces.

“I therefore urge you to continue to uphold the highest standard of professionalism and patriotism and to foster strong collaborations with your colleagues to achieve our national security objectives,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, reminded the newly promoted Major Generals that with higher rank comes higher responsibilities. 

“From now onwards, more accountabilities will be required and demanded of you. As Major Generals, what you do or fail to do matters a lot to the system and particularly national security.Therefore, I charge you all to always keep your new status in mind to avoid embarrassing the military establishment and profession and particularly to justify the confidence that has been imposed on you,” he said.