Armed Forces’ll Defend Democracy, Musa, Chief of Defence Staff Assures Nigerians

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen Christopher Musa, yesterday, declared that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would stoutly defend democratic rule in the country.
He said security forces were determined to stick to their constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation and ensuring internal security with the citizenry at the center of its new direction.

Outlining his leadership roadmap in Abuja, the defence chief said his security roadmap and, “leadership concept” would be anchored on three pillars, “which include being people-centric, prioritising troops’ welfare while  deepening jointness and interagency collaboration.
 “The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) will proactively defend our territorial integrity and democracy as well as safeguard internal security and unity to achieve the stability required to guarantee sustainable national development,” he added.

He said his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, was a clear manifestation of the confidence reposed in him to direct the efforts of the AFN to fulfil its constitutional roles in order to address evolving security dynamics across the country.
“The realisation of this critical responsibility elicits a clear leadership concept which will serve as the roadmap supporting the implementation of relevant guiding principles by the AFN.

“The significance of this roadmap is to foster a highly
disciplined, cohesive and inspired AFN ready to achieve its constitutional roles, facilitate national security and enhance sustainable socio-economic development in  the country,” he said.

He pledged to provide people-centric leadership for the armed forces.
“I recognise the significance of leading the thousands of devoted and distinguished service men and women to provide a secure and peaceful environment for the Nigerian people to freely engage in their legitimate enterprise in line with the constitutional mandate of the AFN.
“In this regard, the AFN under my leadership will be people-centric by prioritising and safeguarding our people and their legitimate way of life as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution.

“Accordingly, the AFN will apply the lens of people-centricity to key components of activities to truly put the Nigerian people at the centre of its actions geared towards promoting and safeguarding a secure environment for all.
“To achieve this, the AFN will proactively defend our territorial integrity and democracy as well as safeguard internal security and unity to achieve the stability required to guarantee sustainable national development,” he said.

Musa also disclosed that he would prioritise joint operation which was designed to exploit unity of efforts to seize, retain and maintain the initiative in order to achieve a clearly defined military objective is crucial to the realization of the AFN constitutional duties.
The defence chief assured that troops’ welfare and sound administration would provide the required atmosphere for the AFN to deliver on its constitutional responsibilities.