BY Our Reporter
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on Nigerians to take self-defence seriously by acquiring basic combat and survival skills.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the Defence Chief likened martial arts training to other essential life skills such as driving and swimming, stressing that they should not be seen as optional.
Asked if he would recommend self-defence training for Nigerians, General Musa responded:
“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 programme to better prepare graduates for everyday threats.
“That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks,” he said.
“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. The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason,” the CDS said.
General Musa stressed that security cannot be left to the armed forces alone, urging Nigerians to remain alert, observe their surroundings, and take note of suspicious activities.
