Defence Minister Musa to Youths: Take Lead in Fighting Insecurity

Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerian youths to take the lead in tackling insecurity, saying security agencies alone cannot guarantee lasting peace.

Speaking at a public event, Musa said the country’s youth population is its greatest asset and must be actively involved in securing communities.

“Insecurity has continued to pose a major threat to national development, with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other crimes affecting lives and livelihoods,” he said.

Musa stressed that security is a collective responsibility, not just the duty of the military, police and other agencies. He said young people are closest to their communities and best positioned to identify suspicious activities and share information with authorities.

The minister urged youths to embrace patriotism, civic responsibility and community service. He also called on them to use technology, innovation and social media positively to support national security instead of allowing criminals to exploit those platforms.

According to Musa, meaningful youth engagement is key to addressing root causes of insecurity such as unemployment, social exclusion and vulnerability to criminal recruitment. He said empowering young people through education, skills development and economic opportunities will reduce crime and create a more stable society.

Musa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving security nationwide but said government efforts alone would not be sufficient without citizen participation.

“With the energy, creativity and numerical strength of Nigerian youths, Nigeria has the human resources needed to overcome many security challenges if properly mobilised,” he said. He urged young Nigerians to rise above divisions and contribute to building safer communities.