By Michael Oyewole
Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its fight against terrorism, insurgency, and all forms of violent extremism. With the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the Honourable Minister of Defence, the nation has placed its trust in a proven warrior, a strategic thinker, and a leader who has already written his name in gold as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
This is not merely a change of portfolio; it is the elevation of a man who understands the enemy, respects the soldier, and believes unequivocally in Nigeria’s indivisible unity.
General Musa’s tenure as CDS will be remembered as one of the most decisive phases in the history of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Under his leadership, the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded unprecedented successes: The neutralisation of over 3,000 high-value terrorist commanders and fighters in the North-East, North-West and North-Central zones; The liberation of hundreds of communities long held hostage by Boko Haram and ISWAP; The degradation of bandit kingpins and their logistics networks across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states; The recovery of thousands of sophisticated weapons and the destruction of terrorist enclaves, training camps, and armoury caches; And a marked improvement in civil-military relations through humanitarian operations, medical outreaches, and the safe rescue and reintegration of thousands of abducted citizens.
These are not statistics on a briefing slide; they are communities that can now farm again, children who have returned to school, and families reunited after years of anguish. General Musa achieved this not by rhetoric but by synchronising joint operations, insisting on intelligence-led engagements, and holding commanders accountable for results. He brought clarity of mission, unity of command, and an unyielding will to win.
Now, as Minister of Defence, General Musa assumes an even greater responsibility: to translate battlefield gains into irreversible national victory. The task ahead is clear, urgent, and non-negotiable, the total eradication of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and separatist violence from every inch of Nigerian territory. This demands a new phase of boldness, innovation, and professionalism.
First, the Minister must accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge technology and modern equipment. The era of fighting 21st-century terrorists with outdated tools must end decisively. Drones with persistent surveillance and precision-strike capabilities, night-vision systems, protected mobility vehicles, advanced encrypted communications, and battlefield management systems are no longer luxuries – they are necessities. Nigeria’s defence industries must be galvanised to produce locally while strategic international partnerships deliver immediate capability leaps. Every soldier on the front line must know that the nation has equipped him or her to dominate, not merely survive, the battlefield.
Second, troop morale and welfare must remain a sacred priority. The Nigerian soldier has proven time and again that when properly kitted, promptly paid, and confidently led, there is no adversary he cannot defeat. General Musa, who visited troops in the trenches even during festive periods, understands this better than anyone. Enhanced allowances, faster promotion cycles, better medical care (including PTSD management), decent accommodation for families, and a transparent reward system for gallantry will turn good soldiers into an unstoppable force.
Third, professionalism and respect for human rights must be the unbreakable creed of every operation. The world is watching, and our enemies exploit every misstep. Under General Musa’s watch as CDS, the Armed Forces significantly reduced civilian harm and increased adherence to the rules of engagement. This standard must not only be maintained but elevated. Every soldier, sailor, and airman must be a protector of the people, not a source of fear.
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Finally, the new Minister must sustain the “whole-of-nation” approach. Terrorism will be defeated not just by bullets but by denying the enemy recruits, funds, and sanctuary. Collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Justice, Education, and Information must be seamless. Deradicalisation programmes must be expanded, communities empowered to reject extremist ideology, and the narrative of a united, prosperous Nigeria relentlessly projected.
To General Christopher Musa, the message from a grateful nation is simple: finish what you started.
You have chased the terrorists from Sambisa to Alagarno, from Zurmi to Kamuku, from the creeks of the Niger Delta to the shores of Lake Chad. Now, in this new role, drive them into oblivion. Leave no camp standing, no commander breathing, no ideology festering. Let history record that it was under your stewardship – first as CDS and now as Minister of Defence – that Nigeria finally closed the dark chapter of terrorism and opened a new era of peace, pride, and possibility.
The Nigerian people are behind you. The Armed Forces you moulded stand ready. The enemies of our peace are on borrowed time. Go forward, General. Complete the task. Secure the future.
Nigeria salutes you.