DHQ Clarifies CDS Comment, Says Call Was for Self-Protection, Not Bearing Arms
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, called on Nigerians to bear arms, stressing that his remarks were deliberately misrepresented.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the DHQ explained that the CDS, during an interview on Channels Television on August 20, only encouraged citizens to develop basic survival and self-protection skills.
According to the military high command, General Musa likened such training to other essential life skills, including driving, swimming, taekwondo, judo and boxing, noting that the idea was to promote personal resilience, situational awareness and lawful preparedness.
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“For the avoidance of doubt, the CDS did not call for citizens to bear arms or to engage in unlawful possession of firearms,” the DHQ clarified.
“He is fully aware of Nigerian laws prohibiting the unauthorized carrying of weapons.”
The statement further assured that the Armed Forces, alongside other security agencies, continue to make significant progress in tackling insecurity across the country, reflecting the government’s determination to safeguard lives and property.
Promoting security consciousness, the DHQ added, remains a shared responsibility, with basic self-defence and safety skills regarded as valuable contributions to national security.
The military urged the public to rely on verified reports rather than distorted interpretations of public statements, reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
