Urges Nigerians to see military as partners not occupying force
Emeka Agu with agency reports
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that some residents of Benue State provided accommodation, food, and even women to gunmen who carried out the recent deadly attack on Yelwata community that left over 150 people dead.
Speaking at a media interaction at Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the CDS said local informants also helped the attackers identify the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, resulting in the high casualty figure recorded in the massacre.
General Musa disclosed that troops had received intelligence about potential attacks in various communities across the state and were mobilized accordingly. However, upon arrival at the initially mentioned locations, it turned out the information was misleading, as the real attack had already been executed in Yelwata using a hit-and-run approach.
“These criminals were harboured by people in the community. They were given food. They were even given women. They were guided on where the IDP camp was located. Yet, security forces received no information,” the CDS lamented.
He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu has directed the full activation of all national security forces — Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies — to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“This is why we consistently urge communities to be vigilant and report suspicious activities. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he stated.
In another development, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians to see the military as a partner in progress and not an occupying force, alien to the people it is meant to serve and protect.
Musa stated this at the maiden Defence Headquarters Civil-Military Relations Conference 2025 on Thursday in Abuja.
The conference has as its theme: “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security.”
According to him, historically the relationship between the military and the civilian population has, at times, been characterized by suspicion, fear, and mistrust.
“This unfortunate legacy has often hampered our ability to effectively work together, particularly in times of crisis or national emergency.
“The military has been seen not as a partner in progress, but as an occupying force, alien to the people it is meant to serve and protect,” he said.
The CDS noted that even though the perception had existed for a while, concerted efforts must be made from both the military and the larger society to change it.
According to him, the reality is that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are a constitutionally established institution, deeply rooted in democratic principles and accountable to the Nigerian people.
He said the conference was not a one-off event but a strategic initiative, conceptualised to become an annual platform for honest engagement, thoughtful reflection, and practical collaboration.
“The overarching goal is to win hearts and minds and shift from a purely kinetic, force-based approach to one that prioritizes trust-building, respect for human rights, and community partnership.
“It challenges us to think beyond weapons and warfare. It calls on us to invest in human security, to build resilient communities, and to reinforce the idea that every Nigerian, whether in uniform or not, has a stake in the peace and prosperity of our great nation,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole, said the event marked a significant milestone in the military’s ongoing commitment towards a “people-centric” concept championed by the Chief of Defence Staff.
Bankole said the conference was convened to help change negative narratives about the Nigerian armed forces.
He added that it was an avenue to advance non-kinetic strategies and tools of peace, dialogue, outreach, and engagements that will restore trust and rebuild the vital bridge between the military and the civilians we are sworn to serve.
