By Joy Odor
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has observed that looking at the way security threats have evolved, there is a global conflict transformation with increased and synchronized application of economic, diplomatic, political, psychological, informational, intelligence, technological and selective military means to achieve stated end states.
This is even as, the CDS informed that today’s war, he wished the enemy is not a state but a movement, a war without national borders or a war between States and networks and reiterated the need to employ a whole-of-society approach and adopt Non-kinetic.
General Musa disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday while speaking at a one-day Seminar organised by Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN) with the theme: “Civil Military Relations: Non-kinetic Efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges, And Prospects.
He affirmed that the traditional notion of war relying heavily on kinetic means is gradually being relegated and we are now seeking to possess and apply non-kinetic approaches to project power, secure interests and solve problems.
According to him, though the overall power potential of the country is still being determined by conventional military artists, there is no doubt that the non kinetic means are becoming more relevant in the power potentials of Nigeria.
The CDS acknowledged the plethora of multidimensional security situations in the country including separatism, insurgencies and terrorism, inter-communal conflicts, and transnational organised crimes, among others and therefore,
The CDS maintained that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, being the key driver encountering the myriad of security threats nationwide, has sustained non military and soft strategies as a means to an end of this multifaceted threats.
“In tackling these threats, we are not unmindful of the shift from seeking victory through kinetic means. Our main focus remains the targeting of the will of the people through the application as a combination of soft and non-military means.
“As for the first time, I’m highly aware of the multidimensional challenges that confront our nation in the domain of security. Nigeria as a diverse and complex nation faces a mirage of security threats that demand our varying attention and concerted efforts to address.
“From separatism, insurgencies and terrorism to intercommunal conflicts, transnational organized crimes and the mirror of other security challenges, the task of securing our nation is formidable and tasking.
“The challenges are enormous all over, but we must look at the positive as well as speak well of our country, speak whatever is going on. But positively, I think that’s very, very important” CDS noted.
General Musa therefore called on the citizens to stop cursing the country and her leaders but should be positive about the country to be productive.
“I must encourage and employ us all that we must endeavour to continue to remain loyal to constitutional authorities and be patriotic to our great nation.
“There must be a nation before you can even discuss it, and that is very critical. Sometimes, I find it very hard to understand when I hear Nigerians speaking evil about their country.
“And we all know as Africans that there’s power in the word. What you say means a lot. We must learn how to be positive of our country. That’s the only way we can produce.
“We have seen countries, most countries, it’s not like they don’t have issues, but they don’t put their own problems in the forefront like we do. And that is what is affecting us as individuals.
“So, it’s important that we must take ownership of our country. We must wish our country well and our leaders well. When they err, let us call them to question and profile solutions.
“It’s not just negative criticism. Every day you are insulting, you are busy. You’re calling for God to punish. No, you cannot kill your country because you feel it is just that you feel like that. You don’t grow a country like that, which I think is important.”
The CDS commended DECAN for organizing the seminar and such a forum for intellectual discourse and invaluable platform to engage in most pressing issue facing the nation, particularly in the realm of security.
General Musa expressed confidence that the federal government would continue to give the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies the resources required to perform effectively to be able to end insurgency activities in the country.
Similarly, the Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab advocate need to have journalists embedded by the military in its operations planning and execution that would help greatly in checking negative reports on the activities of security agencies.
NARC Director General informed that the seminar was a platform for the military to engrave its friendship with the media and bridge the existing divide between them.
He challenged media practitioners to be patriotic in the performance of their duties and avoid reports that would be detrimental to national interest and security.
Wahab expressed concern that some media organisations opposed to government could not draw a line between politics and national security and mandated the media to find a way of being ethical while the government and the Armed Forces will ensure that the interests of the media are taken into consideration during operations.
Meanwhile, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj.-Gen. Edward Baba promised that the military would do its best in maintaining and sustaining cordial relationship in the interest of the nation.
Meanwhile, the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig -Gen. Tukur Gusau, urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage of security issues without jeopardising ongoing operations.
Gusau enjoined the media to understand the nature of information management in the military while seeking information or clarification over issues and expressed readiness of the military to work with the media as partners in progress.
In his address, the National Coordinator, National Counter -Terrorism Centre, (Retired) Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, represented by Commodore BM Sule, said the nation’s military has witnessed expanding roles in addressing non-conventional security threats such as terrorism, insurgency and communal conflicts.
Musa added that attention was previously given to only the kinetic means in managing security, without looking at the non-kinetic methods, which involves non use of military force.
National Coordinator Terrorism Centre affirmed that building public trust in the military was crucial to the success of military operations and enhancing national security.
He was opinion that the media plays significant role in shaping this relationship as it serves as a bridge between the military and the public.
Earlier, the President of the DECAN, Comrade Ismail Musa of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) explained that the Seminar was organized as parts of Defence Correspondents support with the Military towards ending insurgency activities in the country.
