General Musa made this admission in his speech at the National Security Summit themed "Curbing Insecurity in Nigeria: Achieving a Robust and Sustainable Economy for a New Nigeria Youth Inclusivity in Nation Building."
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, has stated that rising acts of terrorism, kidnapping and other similar crimes have impaired the progress of the country’s economy.
General Musa made this admission in his speech at the National Security Summit themed "Curbing Insecurity in Nigeria: Achieving a Robust and Sustainable Economy for a New Nigeria Youth Inclusivity in Nation Building."
He added that it had become so clear that the Nigerian military alone could not tackle the insecurity problems, while calling for collaborative efforts of other agencies and the citizens, particularly the youth whose digital skills were regarded as pivotal in making the country safer.
The CDS said, "In the complex and volatile global security environment of our times, nations must unite to confront emerging challenges. Nigeria, regrettably, has been grappling with multifaceted security issues that have cast shadows on our economic activities. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, farmers-herders clashes, cultism, separatist agitation, armed robbery, militancy and transactional crimes have become pervasive elements, underscoring the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the security challenges we face. Collaboration among stakeholders and active involvement of the youth are imperative to forge the necessary synergy in our collective pursuit to curb insecurity in Nigeria.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, recognizing the need to secure the nation's territorial integrity, has been unwavering in its efforts. However, the persistence of security challenges necessitates a realization that no single arm of Service or agency can singularly address the complex and dynamic nature of contemporary threats. These challenges have evolved, becoming diffused, unconventional, and asymmetric. Thus, a paradigm shift is imperative, moving from individual strategies and intelligence to a collaborative, multi-agency approach.
“Our approach must encompass sharing and collaboration on various frontiers, leveraging the distinct competences of different security agencies. The statutory roles of these agencies often overlap and complement each other. This underscores the compelling need, now more than ever, to adopt a holistic, multi-agency approach. Such an approach would enable all stakeholders to bring their core competences and resources to bear in combating these insecurities comprehensively. The result would be sustainable peace and stability, creating an enabling environment for socioeconomic development to thrive.
“In this pursuit, I wish to emphasize the indispensable role of the youth. Your energy, idealism, and unique perspectives make you a powerful force for social change. I unequivocally consider the youth as critical stakeholders in curbing insecurity in Nigeria. Beyond conventional roles, the youth can actively contribute to intelligence gathering, community engagement, and the integration of technological solutions in our security measures. Your computer savviness, for instance, holds immense potential in enhancing the effectiveness of our security efforts."
He continued, "The idea of multi-agency collaboration in Nigeria's security domain is not a novel concept. However, the pivotal question that confronts us is whether we have fully exploited the benefits of such cooperation. Are there still untapped opportunities for improvement? I am inclined to believe that these questions have informed the choice of the Summit's theme. It is my fervent hope that the communiqué emerging from our deliberations will not only acknowledge the strides made but also propose innovative and workable strategies to further curb insecurity in our beloved nation.
“As we engage in this summit, I draw confidence from the caliber of resource persons and guests present. The depth of knowledge, experience, and commitment in this room assures me that our interactions will be robust and result-oriented. Our collective intellect and shared commitment are potent catalysts for positive change.”
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