By Israel Adamu, Jos
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has called for the fencing of Nigeria’s national borders to restrict the movement of terrorists and other criminals.
He emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria cannot be resolved by military (kinetic) efforts alone but requires a multifaceted approach.
General Musa urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency, highlighting trust, civic engagement, and responsible narratives as key to addressing insecurity.
The CDS also stressed the need for a comprehensive database of citizens and foreigners to enable effective tracking and arrest of criminals.
He made these remarks during the official launch of the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative and the North Central Peace Summit in Jos, organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central).
According to General Musa, “If people are happy and well protected, things will go better. If they’re not, there will be a crisis. These are the things we need to understand and appreciate.”
He further argued that peace, equity, fairness, and justice must come first, adding, “Without these, we cannot have proper deployment. I think that’s a very important point.”
Reiterating his call for stronger border control, including fencing to curb illegal entry and cross-border crime, the CDS also advised the political class to make the right decisions and provide clear direction, assuring that the armed forces are ready to act accordingly.
In the same vein, Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Euphraim Usman, said the initiative aims to empower communities to lead conflict resolution and peacebuilding, recognizing that sustainable peace must be locally owned and driven.
According to the Commissioner, the initiative seeks to build bridges of trust among citizens, ensuring that community groups and civil society collaborate to champion grassroots solutions.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Dr. Abiodun Essiet, said the event was organized as part of efforts to tackle the insecurity that has bedeviled the region.
She stressed that “there will be no meaningful development without peace,” urging people from the North Central to embrace their diversity as a key to national development.
Also speaking at the occasion, immediate past Governor of Plateau State and current Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, called for collaboration across all sectors to address insecurity.
Our correspondent reports that traditional rulers from various parts of the region attended the event.
