On Friday, the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, announced that the era of indiscriminate killings and insecurity in Nigeria has come to an end.
He made the declaration while formally assuming office at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
Musa, who once served as Chief of Defence Staff, said he returns to the ministry backed by the trust of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian people.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the Defence headquarters, the former CDS held a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs and the ministry’s directors.
“After having 39 years in service … the love Nigerians have shown us shows that people believe that we can turn the tide,” he said.
The minister declared that change will come through concrete action, not empty promises.
He further stated, “Change will not come from rhetoric, but through action by all Nigerians. We must… take ownership of the responsibilities of the challenges we have in our country.
“The shedding of innocent blood is over. Citizens have a right to live without fear. Our children should be able to go back to school. The farmers should be able to go back to their farms.”
Musa pledged to prioritise the welfare of military personnel and their families, saying those who risk their lives for their country deserve respect and support.
He promised swift provision of needed kits, timely operational allowances, proper accommodation, and adequate medical care — especially for injured soldiers and bereaved families.
Outlining his vision for the ministry, Musa identified three core pillars: operational effectiveness, unified action across all services, and strategic foresight.
He called for a rigorous review of all theatre commands and inter‑service operations, aiming to eliminate silos and ensure that once decisions are taken, the forces act as a united team.
Musa emphasised that technology and intelligence must play a central role in Nigeria’s defence architecture. He said the ministry would deepen collaboration with allied partners and other security agencies, and ensure decisions are guided by data, not just experience.
The Defence Minister warned that there would be no room for indiscipline, corruption, or bureaucratic delays.
“If we make mistakes, we must take necessary action to ensure that we make amends,” he said, underscoring accountability as key to restoring public trust.
He described morale as a “force multiplier,” and urged both uniformed and civilian staff at the ministry to show initiative and dedication without delay.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, called Musa’s appointment a significant moment for the country’s security architecture. He pledged full support from ministry management and staff.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, in his statement, described Musa’s assumption of office as the start of a new phase of sincerity, unity, and collective action in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
He said, “We are glad to have him here, and we are looking forward to a more robust approach to solving our challenges.
“We must be sincere about our approach and address these issues collectively.
“We must get the buy-in of the minister to drive the process, and the government too must show the willpower to ensure it is done.”
