Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called on Nigerians to begin learning combat and survival skills as a means of self-defense, stressing that the military cannot be everywhere at once.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, General Musa emphasized that self-defense skills such as unarmed combat, swimming, and driving should be considered essential — just like learning to drive or swim in many countries.
“Whether there’s war or not, survival skills are crucial,” Musa said. “In Europe, swimming is compulsory. Security awareness should be, too.”
He noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which once had a mandate to build such skills, has been diluted into a three-week program with limited focus on physical training. According to him, the NYSC should be restructured to include instruction in unarmed combat and personal safety techniques.
“The NYSC is supposed to train Nigerian youths in survival and self-defense, but its impact has been reduced. We must revive it to teach vital life skills,” he said.
The Defence Chief also urged Nigerians to be more situationally aware and proactive in securing themselves and their communities, noting that safety is a collective responsibility.
“Security is everyone’s business. We live in a dangerous world where some individuals act with evil intentions. Being prepared can make the difference,” he added.
