*Reveals Nigerian military has started assembling armoured personnel carriers
*Reiterates support for democratic govt
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa yesterday once more ruled out the need for mercenaries to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in the fight against terrorists and criminal groups in the country.
Musa who stated this during an interview monitored on ARISE News Channel yesterday, also revealed that Nigerian military has started assembling its own Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC).
He stressed the need for the federal government to provide modern and sophisticated military hardware to the AFN in order to win the war against terrorism and other emerging security threats confronting the nation.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Nigeria was stabilising the West Africa sub-region and the Sahel, as it had always done.
According to him, “We don’t need mercenary fighters, we don’t need any foreign boot on our soil and that was why it was not even being thought out. We don’t have a foreign military base in Nigeria. We have the capacity to wage the war, we are training together.
“All we need is to get the equipment that we are fighting with. The ongoing war has also helped us to build the capacity to also produce our own armaments.
“I just came in from Jaji this morning, we are now producing and assembling our own armoured personnel carrier (APC), before we start full production.
“We believe that if we are able to get these things right, we would be able to do the right thing. We don’t need external help. Remember that we stabilised Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other west African nations, so we can still do same thing here”.
Noting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has become a beacon of hope for Nigerians, Musa said the military would continue to support democracy in Nigeria.
Stating that no military personnel in Nigeria was interested in coup, Musa said the country was working hard to return Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to democratic governance.
“We are better in a democratic setting, so we want to sustain it,” he said.
Musa noted that the military was rising to the occasion, stressing that though the nation’s armed forces are trained in conventional warfare, they have adjusted to the asymmetric nature of insurgency tactics.
“We are used to fighting countries, but now we have to deal with enemy within and that becomes very difficult because the enemy understands that we are subjected to human rights and other international legal instruments governing armed conflict,” he said.
Meanwhile, the AFN, the Nigeria Police Force and Parliamentary Agencies yesterday unveiled plan for the National Drumline and Marching Band Festival to promote synergy amongst the military and other security agencies to effectively tackle crime and criminality across the federation.
The festival, is being organised by the Armed Forces of Nigeria Performing Arts Band Festival (AFOPPIBAF).
Unveiling the planned National Drumline and Marching Band Festival during a press conference in Abuja, the Director General, AFOPPIBAF, Amb Justin Duru explained that the initiative was aimed at uniting Nigeria’s military and paramilitary bands, while promoting cultural diversity and regimental music.
He also underscored the importance of collaboration among the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defense, and other bands to enhance synergy and boost the fight against insecurity.
This was as Musa also stated that the military high command would continue to prioritise the welfare of personnel, especially those in the frontline.
Also, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday said troops across all theatres of operations killed no fewer than 181 terrorists and nabbed 203 others in one week.
Speaking during the press conference, Duru said the planned festival was themed, “Togetherness: Unity in Diversity,” which was inspired by Sonny Okosun’s iconic song, and aimed to showcase Nigeria’s military music heritage on the global stage.
The event, he said will feature street parades; bands competing in ceremonial displays and creative performances, drumline competitions, inspired by the movie drumline, focusing on skill and creativity, cultural displays, vibrant performances celebrating Nigeria’s heritage, unity band serenade, a special performance by a joint ensemble of military and paramilitary bands.
He further revealed that the festival also include a symposium, colloquium, and serenades to foster collaboration and preserve military traditions.
“Originally scheduled for 2020, but delayed by COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has achieved milestones, including the creation of the Unity Band Ensemble Orchestra, which debuted in 2022 to critical acclaim.
“Additionally, it has revitalised moribund bands from agencies like Customs, Correctional Services, and the Fire Service.
“The event also emphasises career opportunities in military performing arts, encouraging youth to explore creative roles in uniformed services,” he explained.
Also, the CDS while addressing a press conference in Abuja, earlier yesterday, unveiled the “Tribute to Our Troops,” an event being organised to commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Celebration.
He said the leadership of the country and that of the military appreciate the troops’ sacrifices to keep the country safe and secure.
The CDS, who was represented by the Director, Civil-Military Relation, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ekpe, said the event was a testament to the commitment of the military to foster unity, showcase resilience, and celebrate the valour of servicemen and women who had dedicated their lives to safeguarding the country.
Appealing to Nigerians to always respect and support men and women of the armed forces of Nigeria for their sacrifices, the CDS said he will continually prioritise the welfare of the troops of Nigerian military.
Earlier, the Founder of Tribute to Our Troops (TTOT), Olivia Adom, expressed optimism that the initiative will not only honour the fallen heroes but strengthens the bonds that hold everybody together as a people.
She urged the media to utilise its power to connect the heart of the nation to the valour of its defenders.
Adom added that the media can also inspire unity, pride, and a renewed commitment to celebrating those who stand as the guardian of our freedom.
According to her, “As we gather to honour our heroes, let us remember that our strength as a nation lies in our unity and shared purpose”.
Also, a statement by Director Defence Media Operations Maj Gen Edward Buba, announced the arrest of several notorious kidnappers and a notorious gun runners identified as Mohammed Musa (aka Mamman), in Plateau State, among others.
He said that all efforts are aimed at degrading terrorist wherever they are hibernating or hiding.
According to him, “During the week under review, troops neutralised 181 and arrested 203 persons. Troops also arrested 50 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 161 kidnapped hostages.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Twenty Eight Million Two Hundred and Ninty Seven Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N728,297,650.00) only.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 10 dugout pits, 38 boats, 44 storage tanks and 47 illegal refining sites”.
He further said that troops recovered 765,680 litres of stolen crude oil and 86,725 litres of illegally refined AGO.
