Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Retired General Christopher Musa, has called for collective national and institutional commitments in the fight against terrorism in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling of a two-volume publication titled “Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in North East Nigeria”, authored by Retired Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, in Abuja, Gen. Musa stressed that every member of the Armed Forces and stakeholders across the society should contribute to defeating insurgency in Nigeria.
The minister said that the fight against terrorism remained one of the most complex security challenges in Nigeria’s history and could not be won by the military alone.
He explained that success in counterinsurgency operations depends on joint efforts by the military, civil authorities and citizens, noting that terrorists often operate within communities, making public vigilance and cooperation critical to operational success.
“The Armed Forces cannot win this fight alone. Every member of the Armed Forces and indeed the entire society must contribute to the fight against terrorism,” he said.
He described the author as a senior colleague, a mentor and respected officer whose career reflected discipline, consistency and commitment to professional excellence, adding that such values had strengthened leadership within the Armed Forces.
He commended the Nigerian Defence Academy for producing generations of officers grounded in professionalism, patriotism and service, noting that this foundation has sustained the effectiveness of the Armed Forces over time.
According to him, the publication contributes significantly to national security discourse by documenting operational experiences and providing practical lessons for military professionals and policymakers.
He urged serving officers to study the work carefully, describing it as a valuable reference drawn from real battlefield experience.
The minister appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces and security agencies, particularly in addressing evolving security threats across the country.
He further honoured fallen heroes and their families, reaffirming government’s commitment to supporting those who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, described the publication as a major intellectual contribution to military scholarship and operational learning.
Oluyede said that the author, a former Commander of 21 Brigade, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, brought extensive field experience into the two volumes.
“The work effectively bridges theory and practice in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, particularly in intelligence-led warfare, inter-agency coordination and strategic planning,” he said.
According to him, the documentation of operational experiences is critical to institutional memory and urged other retired officers to emulate the author by contributing to military literature.
“Knowledge preservation is essential to institutional growth, and works such as this ensure that valuable lessons from the field are not lost, but passed on to future generations,” he said.
Oluyede reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to continuous learning, adaptation and improved operational effectiveness in tackling asymmetric threats.
He also commended the author for contributing to doctrine development and national security strategy, describing the work as relevant for both current and future military practitioners.
The CDS wished the author continued good health and service to the nation in retirement.
The unveiling ceremony had in attendance several past defence and services chiefs as well as retired and serving senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
GIK/APA