Ogona Anita
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, has encouraged Nigerians to acquire basic combat training as a means of self-defense when confronted with threats or danger.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme aired by Channels Television on Thursday, the defence chief emphasized the importance of such skills in uncertain times.
He compared combat training to essential life skills like driving and swimming, noting that these abilities serve as tools for survival regardless of the presence of conflict.
“In Europe, swimming is compulsory. Learning and teaching about security (is compulsory) because you have to learn what security is.”
General Musa emphasized that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should equip Nigerian graduates with unarmed combat training to help them navigate daily threats posed by malicious individuals.
He said, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks.
“I think it is important that we are able to give every Nigerian security awareness at whatever level. Self-defence is very important. Unarmed combat. Swimming. Driving. These are critical aspects for human endeavours.
“These are things we should never take for granted because they prepare you for the future. The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”
General Musa emphasized that safeguarding the nation is a shared responsibility among all Nigerians.
He called on citizens to remain vigilant and alert to their environment, encouraging them to identify and report unfamiliar or suspicious individuals.
