The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on all Nigerians to learn basic combat skills as a means of self-defence in today’s unpredictable security environment.
General Musa made this statement on Thursday while speaking as a guest on the current affairs programme Politics Today on Channels Television.
He compared self-defence skills to other essential survival tools such as driving and swimming, saying Nigerians should take combat training seriously even in the absence of war.
“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim. Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” the Defence Chief explained during the interview.
He pointed out that in many European countries, swimming and security awareness are part of standard education because survival is not something to be left to chance.
General Musa specifically suggested that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should introduce unarmed combat training as part of its programme for Nigerian graduates.
According to him, NYSC members who are usually posted to unfamiliar parts of the country should be equipped with self-defence skills to protect themselves from threats, especially in isolated or high-risk areas.
“In Europe, swimming is compulsory; learning and teaching about security because you have to learn what security is,” he added. “The NYSC can include basic combat training so that at least they know how to defend themselves from dark-hearted men.”
He stressed that this type of training is not about promoting violence but about giving citizens the ability to respond to danger when authorities may not be immediately available to help.
General Musa further stated that national security is not the job of the military or police alone, but the duty of every Nigerian.
He advised citizens to stay alert and observe their environment at all times, warning that criminals often take advantage of carelessness and ignorance.
“We must all be situationally aware. Know who your neighbours are, and pay attention to unusual movements or strange faces,” he said.
The Defence Chief also encouraged communities to work closely with local security agencies and share timely information about suspicious activities. According to him, early warning and quick response are key to preventing attacks and criminal incidents.
General Musa’s comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and terrorism.
From the North-West to the South-East, incidents of violence have become common, leaving many Nigerians worried about their safety and the ability of the government to protect lives and property.
In rural areas especially, security is often thin, and response times from the police or army can be delayed due to distance or lack of resources.
As a result, many communities have resorted to setting up vigilante groups or local neighbourhood watch schemes to secure themselves.
In light of this, General Musa’s remarks are being seen as a practical response to the reality on the ground, where people may need to act quickly in the face of danger before help arrives.
Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to the Defence Chief’s advice.
Some citizens welcomed the idea, saying that being able to defend oneself is now a necessity, not a luxury.
“With the way things are going, you can’t afford to be careless anymore. I support learning self-defence,” said Bola Ajayi, a resident of Abuja. “You don’t know when you might be targeted.”
Others, however, argued that the focus should be on making the country safer so that civilians do not need to learn combat skills.
“It’s the government’s job to protect us. Telling people to learn combat means the system has failed,” said Fatima Usman, a teacher in Kaduna. “We need lasting solutions, not survival tactics.”
He also supported the idea of introducing basic security education at all levels, including primary and secondary schools, to help build a more safety-conscious society.
While General Musa’s call has sparked public debate, it also highlights the growing importance of personal security awareness in Nigeria today.
Whether or not the government formally adopts combat training into programmes like NYSC, the message is clear: Nigerians are being encouraged to play a more active role in protecting themselves and their communities.
