The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has averred that the security landscape continues to evolve, presenting new and complex challenges, thus demanding innovative and adaptive responses.
The Defence Chief made the assertion on Wednesday at the Joint Task Force Commanders Conference held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Enhancing Jointness Across all Theatres of Operation”, was declared open by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru. The conference provides a critical platform for the Armed Forces to reflect on collective efforts, assess progress, and strategize for the challenges ahead.
Gen. Musa said that the Armed Forces should not celebrate achievements and forget, as “the war isn’t over, we must remain vigilant”.
He said that the Armed Forces must leverage technology, enhance intelligence-sharing, and strengthen interagency cooperation to stay ahead of such evolving threats as the employment of armed drones, transnational crimes, and the proliferation of improvised explosive devices.
The CDS stated that the concept of jointness remains at the core of operational success and is a pillar of his leadership concept which is, “to Nurture a Professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is People-Centric, Capable of Meeting its Constitutional Responsibilities in a Joint and Collaborative Environment”.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of Commanders in fostering the spirit of collaboration, CDS Musa urged them to continue building bridges, sharing resources, and working as a cohesive team. “Together, we are stronger and together, we will prevail”, he said.
General Musa commended the unwavering dedication and sacrifices of officers and men across the various Joint Task Forces, noting that their “relentless efforts in combating insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and other security threats have not gone unnoticed”.
“The successes recorded in recent operations are a testament to your professionalism, resilience, and commitment to duty”, adding, “you have demonstrated that through unity of purpose and effective collaboration, we can achieve remarkable results”.
General Musa encouraged meaningful and professional deliberations for the next few days, keeping in mind “the trust reposed in us by the Nigerian people”, who “look up to the Armed Forces for protection of lives, properties, and freedoms. We must not fail them”.
The CDS further emphasized that the conference must be approached with open minds, a willingness to learn, and a determination to innovate. “Let us leave here with a clear roadmap for addressing the security challenges of our time”.
He expressed deep appreciation to the conference organizers for this timely event and thanked all participants for their dedication to the nation, while extending profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu GCFR for his exemplary leadership and unwavering support for the Armed Forces and security agencies.
He also appreciated the National Security Adviser, the Ministers of Defence, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and other dignitaries for their presence. Finally, he acknowledged former Chiefs of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for joining the special occasion.
The conference, which commenced today, ends on Friday, February 7 2025.
