By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa has appealed to all Nigerians to join in the fight against insecurity, saying the military alone can not do it.
The CDS made the appeal during the maiden interaction with newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
Musa condemned attitude of some citizens who provide support for enemies of the country, and said the fight against criminals is for all.
“I want to also appeal that when you see something not going right, please report, even if it is our troops that are not doing the right thing, don’t just keep quiet and pass by because whatever you see and pass by, you have approved it.
“If you want changes, report so that we can take action and we want to take action,” he said.
Musa said that terrorism was always difficult to eradicate because it was based on ideology that had added criminality.
He said good governance was also critical to addressing insecurity, adding that political leaders have a role to play to ensure that issues that promote insecurity were not allowed to fester for too long.
According to hum, the military solution is only 30 per cent, while 70 per cent is good governance, equity, fairness and justice.
“The issue of the policing is everybody’s responsibility. We must have good policing system that everybody is everybody’s brother.
“We must be our brother’s keepers for us to be able to assist and our correctional system should be correctional.
“The security challenges we are facing is not only a military challenge, it is for everybody and you there you are always most times on the forefront.
“So that is why it is important for us to have a good understanding of what is going on so that we can clearly sensitise the public and let them understand what is going on,” he said.
Earlier, the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the media play important role in nation building with serious implication to the national security.
Gusau said there was the need for the military to partner closely with the media hence the desire of the CDS to interface with journalists as critical stakeholders.
According to him, the media is a force multiplier in the effort of the armed forces of Nigeria to win the hearts and mind of the populace.
“Therefore, your role is critical and noble, always trying to ensure the public support for the military and also boost the moral of our troops while executing our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
