Defence Minister Declares Lasting Security Hinges on Defeating Ignorance, Not Military Force Alone

The Honourable Minister of Defence General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR has declared that true and lasting national security cannot be achieved by military force alone, but must be anchored on defeating ignorance, conquering hopelessness, and defending democratic values.

In a statement, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, revealed that the Minister spoke on Friday at the June 12 Special Edition of The Platform Nigeria. General Musa paid tribute to the sacrifices that birthed Nigeria’s democracy and warned that modern security threats require a rapid, technology-driven evolution in the nation’s defence strategy.

Delivering a presentation titled “Securing Our Nation,” the Minister stressed that meaningful economic gains can only be sustained when security is guaranteed. “When we speak of national defence, the instinct is to focus on boots on the ground, air power, or intelligence gathering,” he said. “But true and lasting security is anchored on one critical element: the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. No democracy can flourish where fear dominates daily life.”

General Musa provided a balanced assessment of Nigeria’s security situation, acknowledging milestones recorded by the Armed Forces, including the neutralisation of key terrorist leaders and the disruption of major criminal networks. Leah Katung-Babatunde further noted that the Minister warned modern threats such as banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and transnational violent extremism are highly adaptive and increasingly interconnected, often using social media to spread misinformation and exploit social divisions.

This year’s edition of The Platform was themed: “Governance, Democracy and National Security.” Leah Katung-Babatunde signed off on the press release issued on Saturday, 13th June 2026 from the Ministry of Defence.