The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has warned that the collapse of family values is aggravating insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that rebuilding the family system is key to restoring peace.
Speaking at the closing of the 2025 Exercise Haske Biyu at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna, Musa explained that family, civic duty, and moral resilience must be treated as core security pillars.
He argued that broken homes are producing weak communities vulnerable to criminality.
“The family is the bedrock of every community. Once the family fails, insecurity thrives. But when families instil discipline, love, and respect, society produces responsible citizens,” Musa said, urging Nigerians to build stronger household bonds that translate into national cohesion.
The defence chief further noted that united families would naturally act as their “brothers’ keepers,” preventing harm and creating safer communities.
He declared this year’s exercise theme, ‘Family and National Security’, as timely, linking strong families directly to national stability.
AFCSC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Alhaji, also emphasized that weak family systems could fuel extremism, radicalism, and disunity.
He maintained that solid family foundations remain the first defence against insecurity and instability.
Meanwhile, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, called on the Federal Government to summon the political will to expose those sponsoring terrorism and banditry.
He lamented that some privileged citizens—including political and traditional leaders—were complicit in the crisis.
Ndukuba, speaking at the World Mission Congress in Abuja, insisted that development cannot occur until insecurity is tackled, urging leaders to put national interest above personal ambition.
He reminded political elites of the unity of Nigeria’s founding fathers, who set aside divisions for independence in 1960.
The cleric also tasked citizens to support security agencies, stressing that church leaders must not let current challenges obstruct the Gospel.
He reaffirmed the Anglican Church’s focus on education and empowerment to uplift the downtrodden and amplify the voices of the marginalized.
Adding another perspective, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt homegrown military technology.
Speaking through Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje at a Research and Development seminar in Abuja, he cautioned that dependence on foreign suppliers leaves the Navy vulnerable.
Ogalla urged acceleration of local production in areas such as shipbuilding, drones, radars, and satellite surveillance, arguing that Nigeria must become a co-creator of naval innovation.
He said, “Effective maritime security now depends on smart systems, AI, big data, and real-time intelligence. The Navy cannot afford to remain a passive consumer.