The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has moved to clarify recent comments by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on the importance of self-defence, following public misinterpretations of his remarks.
The Port City News earlier reported that Musa, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, called on Nigerians to learn basic self-defence skills as a crucial measure for personal safety in the current security climate.
However, the military high command emphasised that General Musa never advised Nigerian citizens to arm themselves for protection.
Speaking on behalf of the DHQ, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, stated that the CDS was encouraging Nigerians to acquire unarmed self-defence skills, citing techniques like wrestling, judo, boxing, and swimming.
Gusau, in an interview with the BBC, explained that these skills are intended for personal safety in everyday situations, such as resisting street attacks or phone snatching, rather than confronting armed criminals.
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“The CDS is not asking Nigerians to confront bandits or terrorists with weapons,” Gusau said. “He is simply encouraging people to acquire basic defensive skills.”
He further stressed that the unauthorised possession of firearms remains illegal under Nigerian law, and the military does not endorse vigilantism.
Gusau noted that the CDS’s advice should be viewed in the context of self-defence as a valuable life skill, which is often a compulsory part of training in many countries.
Musa’s comments were widely discussed, with some interpreting them as a call for citizens to arm themselves, leading to the need for clarification from the Defence Headquarters.
Nigeria continues to face significant security threats, particularly in the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions, where armed groups have caused widespread death and displacement.
Despite ongoing military operations, the crisis has resulted in heavy civilian casualties.
The DHQ said its clarification was necessary to counter the misinterpretation of the CDS’s advice.
