Did Chief of Defence Staff Musa Call on Nigerians to Bear Arms? DHQ Clarifies
- The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, reacted to claims suggesting that he asked Nigerians to bear arms or engage in unlawful possession of firearms
- In a statement issued on Saturday, August 23, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the claims and set the record straight
- General Musa had, in a trending interview, asked Nigerians to acquire basic combat and self-defence skills as a means of survival in an insecure environment
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on the need for Nigerians to learn self-defence skills, following mixed interpretations of his statement.
Source: Facebook
Speaking through the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the military stressed that General Musa never called on citizens to carry arms for self-protection.
DHQ noted that instead, CDS Musa urged Nigerians to embrace globally recognised self-defence techniques such as wrestling, judo, boxing, running, swimming, climbing, and even safe driving, as ways of safeguarding themselves in everyday situations.
“The CDS is not asking Nigerians to confront bandits or terrorists with weapons,” Brig. Gen. Gusau said in an interview with the BBC monitored by our correspondent in Kaduna.
“He is simply encouraging people to acquire basic defensive skills. For instance, in cases of street attacks or phone snatching, those with such skills can resist intimidation without needing arms. Carrying arms without authority is illegal under Nigerian law, and anyone found doing so will face the law.”
Source: Facebook
Why CDS made comment about self-defence
As reported by Vanguard, the Defence spokesperson further explained that in many parts of the world, self-defence training is compulsory and considered an important life skill.
He maintained that the CDS’s advice should be seen in that light and not as a call for vigilantism.
General Musa had made the remarks during a television interview, urging citizens to develop resilience and preparedness in response to the nation’s growing insecurity.
The Defence Headquarters said the clarification became necessary to counter the “misinterpretation” of the CDS’s comments, which some had taken to mean a call for civilians to arm themselves.
Terrorists using gold to fund operations - CDS Musa
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, exposed the operations of terrorists in Nigeria.
In a trending interview on Thursday, August 21, CDS Musa explained how terrorists are increasingly using gold to finance their operations.
Read more about Defence Headquarters (DHQ) here:
- Insecurity: Nigeria's defence chief mentions most dangerous border, "critical"
- Nigerian Army mentions when terrorism financiers in Nigeria will be exposed, details emerge
CDS links military saboteurs to Benue massacre
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that General Christopher Musa, alleged the presence of saboteurs within the Nigerian military, linking them to the Yelwata massacre in Benue state that claimed over 200 lives.
Recall that in May 2025, during a television interview, Borno state governor Babagana Zulum declared some military officers and politicians of being informants and collaborators for Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
