Defence Minister General Christopher Musa and Kaduna Governor Uba Sani backed President Tinubu's education reforms yesterday. Both men said schooling is crucial to fighting banditry and terrorism across Nigeria.
They spoke at the opening of Kaduna Christian Academy in the state. The faith-based school was built by associates of the DSS director-general, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.
Friends of the DSS boss also constructed an Islamic school in Danbushiya last May. That facility served the Muslim community in Chikun Local Government Area.
Musa described the academy as strategic non-kinetic intervention against insecurity. He stressed that defence isn't just about soldiers, aircraft and spies.
"True and lasting security is anchored on one critical element: the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness," the general told the crowd. According to him, schools are weapons of mass instruction in the right hands.
Musa commended the DSS for combining security work with community development. He noted the agency proved that internal security involves winning public trust, not just surveillance and arrests.
An educated population resists extremism better than military force alone, he argued. Schools equip children with knowledge, critical thinking and moral values, Musa added.
The minister urged parents to prioritise their children's schooling. He recalled his own modest beginnings and said every child can reach the top through hard work and education.
Kaduna State has improved security through joint Federal, State and Local efforts, Musa noted. He praised Governor Sani's push for inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
Southern Kaduna's people have shown remarkable resilience, the general said. He warned them against divisive elements trying to spark conflict in the region.
Security agencies cannot defeat bandits without citizen support, Musa stressed. Criminal gangs rely on local informants for intelligence and supplies, he explained.
"If we keep quiet, they will continue to destroy us," the minister said firmly. "But if we speak out, they will not have any space to survive."
He urged residents to give timely, credible intelligence to security forces. While military operations remain necessary, education and community engagement matter equally, he noted.
A literate society better rejects extremist ideas and backs security efforts, Musa concluded. Non-kinetic measures, he insisted, are vital to building lasting peace in Nigeria.
