The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to restoring peace and improving security across Northern Nigeria, especially in regions affected by terrorism and armed banditry.
Gen. Musa made the remarks on Tuesday during a two-day interactive session on Government–Citizens Engagement, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the session provided a platform to assess the government’s ongoing security efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Key Military Achievements Since 2023
The CDS highlighted several notable accomplishments by the Armed Forces since 2023. These include:
The establishment of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre in Abuja.
The creation of a new Department of Training at the Defence Headquarters.
The graduation of over 800 Special Forces operatives, with additional personnel undergoing training in Jaji and Nasarawa to address asymmetric threats.
Gen. Musa explained that the military had also restructured its operations in the North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which led to the formation of Special Forces Brigades in Kaduna and Niger States.
Further operational expansion includes:
New sectors under Operations HADIN KAI and FANSAN YAMMA.
Additional Forward Operating Bases and deployment of high-readiness units to volatile areas.
Results on the Ground
The military’s operations have yielded significant results:
Over 3,000 terrorists and bandits neutralised in the past two years.
More than 120,000 insurgents surrendered.
2,000 kidnapped victims rescued.
Over 2,300 illegal firearms and 72,000 rounds of ammunition recovered from multiple theatres of operation in the North.
Beyond the Battlefield: Peacebuilding and Development
Gen. Musa emphasized that the military’s role extends beyond combat. The Armed Forces have engaged in:
Peacebuilding efforts such as community sports, reorientation programmes, and dialogues with traditional leaders, governors, and civil society.
Economic development initiatives, including the establishment of ranches, schools, and ICT training centres, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.
“These engagements have helped rebuild trust, restore normalcy, and facilitate the return of displaced persons to their communities,” Musa said.
He also praised local defence institutions like the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) for their growing contributions to logistics support and innovation.
Upcoming African Defence Conference
Looking ahead, Gen. Musa announced that Nigeria will host the African Chiefs of Defence Conference from August 25 to 27 in Abuja.
“This summit will foster regional dialogue and enhance cooperation among African nations on collective security challenges,” he said.
