Why every Nigerian should learn combat skills — CDS Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on Nigerians to acquire combat skills as part of essential survival training in today’s insecure world.

General Musa made the call on Thursday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he compared combat training to other basic life skills such as driving and swimming.

Asked whether he would encourage Nigerians to take up combat skills for self-defence, he said, “That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim. Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct.

“In Europe, swimming is compulsory. Learning and teaching about security (is compulsory) because you have to learn what security is.”

He noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should have a key role in preparing young Nigerians for such training, arguing that corps members should be taught unarmed combat to defend themselves against violent individuals.

“That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. 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,” he said.

General Musa stressed that such skills must not be overlooked, warning that they are crucial in a world where threats to safety are becoming more unpredictable.

“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 said.

The CDS added that security should be seen as the responsibility of all citizens, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and alert to suspicious activities in their communities.

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