Photo File: General Christopher Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has advised Nigerians to acquire combat skills as part of their survival toolkit in the face of rising security challenges.

Speaking on a media outlet on Thursday, the defence chief likened the acquisition of martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to everyday survival skills like driving and swimming.

When asked if Nigerians should embrace combat training for self-defence, General Musa stressed: “That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim. Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct. In Europe, swimming is compulsory. Learning and teaching about security (is compulsory) because you have to learn what security is.”

He further suggested that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its orientation programme to better equip Nigerian graduates.

Photo File: Corps Members

“That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. I think it is important that we are able to give every Nigerian security awareness at whatever level. Self-defence is very important. Unarmed combat. Swimming. Driving. These are critical aspects for human endeavours. These are things we should never take for granted because they prepare you for the future,” he said.

General Musa emphasized that the world is increasingly dangerous, with individuals who “don’t mean people well” and “kill for whatever reason.” He maintained that security is the responsibility of all Nigerians and urged citizens to remain situationally aware, paying close attention to unfamiliar or suspicious persons in their environment.