Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa resolutely believes in leadership by example and not by precept which is a crucial desiderata in a nation’s journey often shaping the trajectory of nations and their security matrix. Exemplary leadership within the armed forces is even more pivotal as it cements not only the success of military operations but also the protection of a nation’s territorial integrity, inalienable statehood and national sovereignty.
On this point, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, the 18th Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian armed forces, has made remarkable strides since his fortitous appointment in June 2023, demonstrating courageous leadership and an utmost commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s security architecture and military formations
His astute leadership is drastically repositioning the nation’s armed forces and assisting in the country’s battles against multifarious security challenges.
At the topmost hierarchy of Nigeria’s military leadership, General Christopher Musa’s position as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) entails a strategic position in the nation’s fight against insurgency, especially against the nefarious Boko Haram group, and other negative security challenges plaguing the nation. Appointed amidst a milleau of rapidly evolving internal and external insecurity threats, General Musa’s priority functions include policy formulation, military readiness, inter-agency coordination, and fostering international collaborative mechanisms designed to defeat the unrepentant insurgents and their nefarious collaborators.
The much celebrated General Christopher Musa, the energetic Chief of Defence Staff has resolutely taken the bull by the horns, crafting a tactical concept of taking the fight to enemy territory rather than waiting for them to strike first thus throwing them off balance and flat footed while decapitating their dastardly foot soldiers piecemeal. This strategic recalibration of military objectives has solidified the military’s counter-insurgency operations, particularly in the fight against Boko Haram and other extremist groups. The rejigging of the operational, tactical and logistical apparatus of the nation’s fighting forces has led to the dramatic liberation of territories formerly occupied by the terrorists, the destruction of their enclaves, and a remarkable decimation of their notorious rank and file.
Another milestone of the new operational strategy of the famed Chief of Defence Staff is the dramatic rescue of the 330 Chibok schoolgirls, including women and children, from the clutches of the notorious Boko Haram hordes in the Sambisa Forest recently, a glaring achievement that has etched General Christopher Musa’s name indelibly in the sands of our time.
This remarkable achievement is a testimony to the legendary CDS’s leadership vigour, rigour and fortitude while also accentuating the credibility of the military’s strategic planning and offensive operations against the infamous Boko Haram elements.
Rescuing such a large number of children from a notorious terrorist gang is no easy task which requires thorough planning and painstaking execution to the letter. It also reflects the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian military in ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, particularly those who have fallen victim to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and assorted criminal elements.
Indeed, a visionary General Christopher Musa has taken on his onerous duties of modelling an effective counterterrorism regimen for the Nigerian Armed Forces which involves effecting robust policies that hinge on intelligence-gathering, swift responses to threats, and the overall enhancement of operational capacity, capability and cohesiveness of the armed forces in all positive ramifications.
Acutely aware that effective and efficient security coordination, especially in defeating an adaptive enemy like the Boko Haram, ISWAP and their fellow travellers requires a credible synergy of ideas, strategies and efforts across various dimensions, General Musa’s much garlanded tenure has seen an emphasis on joint operations and the synergy of operations amongst the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside paramilitary and civilian security outfits.
The consolidation of Operation Hadin Kai which was launched to replace Operation Lafiya Dole was a decisive step along with the formation of Super Camps which enhances the military’s presence in critical locations thereby giving the troops the required reserve flexibility to carry our rapid and precise counterinsurgency operations thus taking the battle decisively to the enemy and eliminating them entirely.
Also, by advancing collaborative platforms, the creative CDS has improved interoperability and resource optimisation, curbing duplication of efforts and fostering a united front against insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, separatists and terrorist groupings nationwide.
While focusing on the future as well as the strengthening the nation’s offensive capabilities, a tech savvy General Christopher Musa has unreservedly pushed for the modernisation of the Nigerian armed forces which involves the procurement of modern armaments, strengthening aerial surveillance units, enhancing cyber warfare capabilities while equipping the combat forces with formidable technological systems and skills through advanced training and strategic partnerships with other military formations across the globe.
Indeed the highly principled, deeply patriotic, superbly competent and resolutely committed CDS has achieved notable success in reducing the level of insecurity since assumption of office and it is clear that his multifaceted approach to security management has achieved desired results by involving the civil society, the host communities, the traditional institutions as well as local militia, vigilante groups and local hunters in the fight against criminal gangs as he believes that no one should be underestimated in the battle against insecurity and it’s nefarious allies. The intrepid Chief of Defence Staff is a proud alumni of the Nigerian Defence Academy, the National Defence University, the lnternational College of Defence Studies, the University of Lagos, and has meritoriously served as the Deputy Chief, Staff Training/Operations Headquarters lnfantry Training Corps; Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, Commander Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region amongst other challenging assignments.
While some more ground needs to be covered before the nation experiences absolute peace, stability, security and tranquility, there is no doubt that the highly energetic, formidable, proactive, courageous and supremely dedicated General Christopher Musa has achieved precedent-shattering milestones which many could only imagine and given the frenetic pace of military activities nationwide, it is a safe to surmise that the nation will witness lasting peace, security and stability in the coming months ahead. To God be the Glory.
BY AUSTIN ASADU A PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST WHO WROTE IN FROM GARKI, ABUJA.
