Leadership by example and not by precept is a crucial concept in a nation’s trajectory often shaping the destiny of countries and their defence systems. Visionary leadership within the armed forces is even more crucial as it underscores not only the success of military operations but also the protection of national integrity, statehood and sovereignty .
On this score, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, the 18th Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian armed forces, has made commendable strides since his auspicious appointment in June 2023, demonstrating robust leadership and a dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s security architecture.
His leadership acumen is drastically repositioning the nation’s armed forces and contributing to the country’s battle against numerous security challenges.
At the topmost level of Nigeria’s military hierarchy, General Christopher Musa’s role as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) embodies a critical leadership position in the nation’s fight against insurgency, especially against the nefarious Boko Haram group, and other insidious security challenges plaguing the nation.
Appointed amidst a matrix of constantly changing internal and external insecurity scenarios, General Musa’s strategic functions include policy formulation, military readiness, inter-agency coordination, and fostering international collaborative mechanisms designed to defeat the unrepentant insurgents and their hardened conspirators.
The much garlanded General Christopher Musa, the indefatigable Chief of Defence Staff has decisively taken the bull by the horns, adopting a proactive strategy of taking the battle to the enemy camp rather than waiting for them to strike first thus catching them off guard and flat footed while decimating their infamous hordes piecemeal.
This strategic reformulation of tactical objectives has fortified the military’s counter-insurgency operations, particularly in the fight against Boko Haram and other extremist groups. The rejigging of the operational, tactical and logistical mechanism of the nation’s fighting forces has led to the dramatic recapture of territories previously held by the insurgents, the destruction of their enclaves, and a considerable depletion of their notorious rank and file.
Another glaring success of the new operational format of the renowned Chief of Defence Staff is the bold rescue of the 330 Chibok schoolgirls, including women and children, from the hands of Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa forest recently, a commendable achievement which has engraved General Christopher Musa’s name indelibly in the sands of our time.
This notable success attests to the legendary CDS’s leadership vigour, rigour and fortitude while also showcasing the effectiveness of the military’s strategic planning and offensive operations against the notorious Boko Haram elements.
Rescuing such a large number of individuals from a notorious terrorist group is no easy feat and requires thorough planning and painstaking execution to the letter. It also reflects the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian military in ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, particularly those who have fallen victim to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and assorted criminal elements.
Indeed a visionary General Christopher Musa has taken on his onerous duties of modelling an effective counterterrorism posture for the Nigerian Armed Forces which involves crafting robust policies that hinge on intelligence-gathering, swift responses to threats, and the overall enhancement of operational capacity, capability and cohesiveness of the armed forces in all positive ramifications.
Being aware that effective and efficient security management, especially in confronting a mutative enemy like the Boko Haram, ISWAP and their fellow travellers requires a robust synergy of ideas, strategies and efforts across various fronts, General Musa’s storied tenure has seen an emphasis on joint operations and the integration of operations amongst the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside paramilitary and civilian security formations. The strengthening of Operation Hadin Kai which was launched to replace Operation Lafiya Dole was a decisive step along with the introduction of Super Camps which consolidates military presence in strategic locations thereby giving the troops the desired flexibility to launch swift and precise counterinsurgency attacks thus taking the battle decisively to the enemy and eliminating them at will. Also, by advancing collaborative platforms, the innovative CDS has improved interoperability and resource optimisation, curbing duplication of efforts and fostering a united front against insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, separatists and terrorist groupings nationwide.
With an eye on the future as well as the strengthening of the nation’s offensive capabilities, a foresighted General Christopher Musa has vigorously pushed for the modernisation of the Nigerian armed forces which entails the procurement of modern armaments, fortifying aerial surveillance units, enhancing cyber warfare capabilities while equipping the fighting forces with formidable technological systems and skills through advanced training and strategic partnerships with other military formations across the globe. Indeed the highly principled, deeply patriotic, superbly competent and resolutely committed CDS has achieved notable success in reducing the level of insecurity since assumption of office and it is clear that his multifaceted approach to security management has achieved desired results by involving the civil society, the host communities, the traditional institutions as well as local militia, vigilante groups and local hunters in the fight against criminal gangs as he believes that no one should be underestimated in the battle against insecurity and it’s nefarious allies.
The intrepid Chief of Defence Staff is a proud alumni of the Nigerian Defence Academy, the National Defence University, the lnternational College of Defence Studies, the University of Lagos, and has meritoriously served as the Deputy Chief, Staff Training/Operations Headquarters lnfantry Training Corps; Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, Commander Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region amongst other challenging assignments.
While there are still areas to be covered before the promised land of peace, stability, security and tranquility can be achieved, there is little doubt that the highly motivated, durable, energetic, courageous and supremely dedicated General Christopher Musa has achieved incredible milestones which many could have only dreamed of and given the redoubtable pace of operational activities nationwide, it is a safe bet that the nation will witness enduring peace, security and stability in the coming months, not years. To God be the Glory.
…Sani Bature, a defence policy expert wrote from Kano
