The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa has urged security agencies to go beyond military action and focus more on the non-kinetic measures to defeat insecurity.
Musa made the call on Tuesday at the National Association of Online Security News Publishers National Security Conference and Award 2025 with the theme: “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources”.
The CDS was represented by the Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), AVM Bashir Mamman.
Musa said the theme of the conference, using kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, could not be more relevant in solving insecurity particularly for the non-kinetic approach which accounts for 70 percent of the work.
“Non-kinetic approaches includes good governance, infrastructure, power, communication and social development.
“Without roads, our troops cannot respond quickly. Without electricity, businesses cannot grow and citizens cannot even make distress calls.
“We must also work with our neighbours, Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, to tackle cross-border crimes, arms smuggling and insurgency that threaten our peace,” he said.
The CDS said that the nation’s growth and human development depended on how well we protected our resources, both human, material and natural.
“These resources go beyond oil and minerals. They include our people, infrastructure, agriculture, forests, technology and every asset that can help our nation grow.
“Protecting them as well as our borders and resources is not just a security issue; it is an economic, moral duty and a shared responsibility.
“We must remember that security is the foundation for economic success because when people feel safe, businesses grow, farmers plant with confidence and investors take bold steps,” the CDS said.
Musa said that Nigeria recently increased its crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day, but vandalism and illegal activities still threatened this progress.
“We must therefore, protect what we have built so that our natural wealth becomes prosperity for every Nigerian, not just a few.
“Security is not the work of government alone but of every citizen so, the first step towards securing our resources starts with all of us,” he said.
The CDS said that information itself had become a battleground in today’s digital world with Nigeria having over 107 million internet users and about 38 million active social media users.
“This space can be used for good or harm, therefore, protect the truth, report responsibly and ensure that our narratives promote unity and hope rather than division and hate.
“We must therefore, work together; the people, the media and the security agencies, to resist those who spread falsehood and unrest,” he said.
Musa thanked President Bola Tinubu for his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ which continued to inspire both the kinetic and non-kinetic dimensions of our national security strategy, driving progress and stability across the country.
He said that Tinubu’s leadership is steering Nigeria in the right direction and in due course, we shall all witness the rewards of a fully secured and united nation.
