Sequel to the worsening security situation in the country, Nigerians have been urged to attach importance to acquisition of combat skills knowledge in order to protect themselves.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa said this while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.
He noted that learning fighting skills like Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo is similar to essential survival skills like driving and swimming.
The Defence Chief also submitted that even when there are no security fears, learning combat skills is still very important.
‘Learning combat skills should be seen as a survival instinct, like swimming or driving.
In Europe, swimming is compulsory. Learning and teaching about security (is compulsory) because you have to learn what security is’ he said.
The top military chief also emphasized the need to let all Nigerians appreciate the importance of learning fighting skills.
‘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’ he added
The CDS also suggested that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme in order to equip graduates with survival skills against threats.
‘The NYSC has been reduced to three weeks, but it should focus on training youths in self-defence’ he said.
He urged all Nigerians to take responsibility for their security by staying vigilant and identifying suspicious activities in their environments.
General Christopher Musa also disclosed that terrorist groups are increasingly using gold to fund their operations which has hindered efforts to track and dismantle their financial networks.
He said gold is the primary source of terrorism funding while also disclosing the challenges facing the military.
‘Gold. They circulate this money, which is why tracking it is critical. The process involves complex legal and international challenges, as some funds originate from abroad, limiting our ability to act solely from within Nigeria.
A lot of people think (members of) the military are magicians; we are not, we are humans just like anybody.
Most times, in these areas where attacks occur, there are either no networks or the roads are very bad.
By the time the information reaches you, the terrorists or bandits already know—they strike quickly, and within five minutes they have disappeared because they have easier mobility to move out as fast as possible’ he said.
The Defence Chief however submitted that despite the challenges, the military remains relentless in pursuing insurgents until they are defeated–
