The Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has said that sustainable national security can only be achieved through a combination of military efforts, education, hope, and the protection of democratic values.
Speaking at the June 12 Special Edition of The Platform Nigeria on Friday, Musa paid tribute to the sacrifices that paved the way for Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that contemporary security challenges require a technology-driven and adaptive defence strategy. He delivered a presentation titled “Securing Our Nation” during the event, which was themed “Governance, Democracy and National Security.”
The minister noted that while security discussions often focus on military operations, intelligence gathering, and air power, lasting peace depends on addressing the root causes of insecurity.
“When we speak of national defence, the instinct is to focus on boots on the ground, air power, or intelligence gathering. But true and lasting security is anchored on one critical element: the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. No democracy can flourish where fear dominates daily life,” he said.
Musa also emphasised that economic growth and development can only thrive in a secure environment, adding that security remains a fundamental requirement for national progress.
He highlighted achievements recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, including the neutralisation of key terrorist leaders and the disruption of major criminal networks across the country.
However, the minister cautioned that evolving threats such as banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and transnational violent extremism continue to pose significant challenges. According to him, these threats are increasingly interconnected and often exploit social media platforms to spread misinformation and deepen social divisions.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security through innovation, collaboration and sustained efforts to address both the immediate and underlying causes of insecurity.
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