Military Committed to Workable Partnership Against Insecurity — CDS Musa

By David Odama

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to pursuing every workable partnership with civil society groups to tackle insecurity in the North Central region.

General Musa stated this over the weekend in Lafia during the North Central Peace Summit organized by the Cheren Peace Foundation, with the theme “Towards Enduring Peace and Harmony in the North Central.”

Represented by the Commander, Operation Whirlstroke, Major General Moses Gara, the Defence Chief emphasized that the military, under his leadership, remains resolute in ending the menace of insecurity in the region soon. He urged stakeholders to intensify efforts in line with the federal government’s peace policy, particularly in areas of information sharing, exposure of criminal elements, and discouraging any form of collaboration with them.

Also speaking, the former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, noted that while security in the region has improved, greater synergy between the government and security agencies is still required. He emphasized the need for engagement with genuine religious leaders to foster lasting peace, warning against the involvement of politically motivated pastors and imams in addressing security challenges.

In his remarks, the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, stressed the importance of peace for the economic growth of the North Central region. He described the zone as Nigeria’s hub, adding, “If the zone is not at peace, Nigeria cannot be at peace. That is why a seminar like this is timely and commendable.”

The governor commended the security agencies in the region for their tireless efforts in maintaining relative peace and expressed optimism that bringing all North Central states together would help reduce the persistent insecurity plaguing the area.

Earlier, the convener of the summit, Bishop Cheren, explained that the aim of the seminar was to address killings, crises, and religiously motivated unrest affecting the region. He said the platform also provides an avenue for agitators, separatists, and aggrieved groups to dialogue, resolve their grievances, and build confidence in national unity and peaceful coexistence.