By Abdul Lauya
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, has assured Nigerians of the military’s renewed commitment to pursuing all terrorists and restoring peace across the country.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Musa made this known at the Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop held on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event was themed “Defence Headquarters Influence Operations: Optimising Psychological Operations for Efficiency in a Joint Environment.”
Gen Musa emphasized the importance of enhancing non-kinetic strategies, particularly psychological operations, to support ongoing military efforts.
He said modern warfare requires influencing perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours to gain operational advantage.
The Defence Chief noted that Nigeria faces complex security threats that challenge both citizens’ resolve and the effectiveness of security agencies.
He said indiscriminate violence by non-state actors continues to instill fear and despair among civilians.
According to him, Nigeria’s internal security threats can no longer be tackled by kinetic operations alone.
He stressed that military action must be combined with coordinated non-kinetic efforts from all stakeholders.
Musa added that troops have continued to limit terrorists’ movement despite sporadic attacks on military locations.
He said recent command changes are expected to bring new strategies that will further weaken terrorists’ capacity.
The CDS declared that the military is more determined than ever to go after all non-state actors threatening peace.
He reiterated that psychological operations remain crucial to shaping public perception in favour of military objectives.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama, urged security forces to intensify efforts to end violence.
Bulama expressed confidence in the capability of the armed forces and intelligence agencies to overcome insecurity.
He said the military’s achievements in various operations are proof of its commitment, despite limited resources.
Bulama noted that insecurity continues to dominate media headlines, especially on social media platforms.
He called for realistic solutions that reassure citizens of the government’s commitment to protect lives and property.
The FRCN boss praised the government’s political will to combat the nation’s security challenges.
He urged the military to counter radicalisation, win hearts and minds, and use technology to monitor propaganda and misinformation.
Bulama recommended the use of artificial intelligence, social media, and analytics to track sentiment and measure impact.
NAN reports that the workshop aimed to refine strategies that enhance the effectiveness of joint security operations.
