By Steven Kefas
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire basic combat skills for self-protection in dangerous situations. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, August 21, 2025 monitored by MBT, General Musa likened learning self-defense to essential life skills such as driving or swimming. “It’s a survival instinct,” he explained. “Whether there’s war or not, knowing how to defend yourself is crucial. In places like Europe, swimming is mandatory, and security training should be treated similarly.”
General Musa proposed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its curriculum to equip young Nigerians with skills to protect themselves from violent attacks. He emphasized that the world is becoming increasingly dangerous, with individuals who perpetrate violence without provocation. “Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he stated, encouraging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities within their communities.
The defense chief also highlighted operational challenges facing the military, including poor road infrastructure and inadequate communication networks, which hamper rapid response to attacks by bandits and terrorists. These criminals often execute swift strikes and vanish within minutes, leaving security forces struggling to mount effective pursuit operations.
This call for self-defense resonates deeply with the tragic case of Sunday Jackson, a Middle Belt farmer from Adamawa who was sentenced to death for defending himself against a Fulani herder who invaded his farm with cattle a decade ago. Sunday’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of why self-defense capabilities are essential. When the herder attacked him on his farmland, Sunday fought back to protect his livelihood, the header died from injuries sustained. However, the justice system failed him, instead of recognizing him as a victim defending his property, he was convicted and now faces execution.
General Musa’s advocacy underscores a harsh reality: many Nigerians, particularly in the Middle Belt, confront threats from terrorist herders, bandits and other criminals with minimal immediate support from security forces. Sunday Jackson’s case illustrates the devastating consequences when citizens are compelled to defend themselves without fair legal protection.
Another example of the failure of the Nigerian judiciary to protect rights to self-defence is the case of Israel Bawa aka Zidane, an indigene of Adara who has been in prison since 2019 over self-defence related issue. Zidane is said to be a fearless young man who alongside others put up strong resistance against Fulani Ethnic Militias attacking their communities. He was arrested by the Nigerian army in 2019, tortured for several months before being transferred to the police, was charged to court and was remanded in prison custody. Zidane left behind a wife and two children who are currently at the mercy of good Samaritans.
The defense chief’s message is unambiguous: Nigerians must prepare to defend themselves in an unpredictable security environment. He also advocated for stronger legislation and expedited justice to prevent criminals from escaping accountability while law-abiding citizens like Sunday Jackson face persecution. As the Middle Belt continues grappling with security challenges, General Musa’s words serve as both a wake-up call for individual preparedness and an indictment of systemic failures that leave citizens vulnerable.
Steven Kefas is a veteran conflict reporter with over 10 years experience.
