Learn Combat Skills for Self-Defence: CDS Urges Nigerians Amid Rising Security Challenges
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| Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, |
Learn combat skills for self-defence in Nigeria. CDS General Musa advises Nigerians to acquire martial arts, driving, and swimming for survival.
With rising security concerns across Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged citizens to take personal safety seriously by acquiring combat and survival skills. Speaking on a national TV program, he emphasized that learning self-defence is no longer optional but a necessity in today’s unpredictable world.
Why Combat Skills Are Essential for Nigerians
General Musa highlighted that skills like Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo should be viewed as everyday survival tools, just like driving or swimming. According to him, these abilities are crucial, not because the country is at war, but because they equip individuals to handle threats and emergencies.
In many developed nations, survival skills are mandatory. For instance:
- In some European countries, swimming is compulsory for all citizens.
- Security awareness training is often included in public education systems.
This demonstrates how societies prepare their citizens for unforeseen challenges.
CDS Recommends NYSC Integration
The Defence Chief further proposed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) incorporate unarmed combat training into its program. Currently, the NYSC orientation is just three weeks long and focuses on lectures, drills, and community development. Musa argued that self-defence training would better prepare Nigerian youths for real-life dangers.
Suggested Skills for NYSC Participants:
- Martial Arts Training: Basic Karate, Judo, or Taekwondo.
- Situational Awareness: Recognizing and avoiding potential threats.
- Survival Skills: Swimming and safe driving techniques.
- Unarmed Combat: Defensive tactics without weapons.
By adopting these, NYSC graduates would leave the program with practical survival knowledge.
Security Awareness in a Dangerous World
The CDS stressed that Nigeria—and indeed the world—has become a dangerous place where individuals with harmful intentions lurk around. To survive, he noted that Nigerians must take responsibility for their personal security.
Key security tips include:
- Always remain vigilant in public spaces.
- Report suspicious activities to local authorities.
- Equip yourself with basic self-defence skills.
- Encourage family and community members to stay security-conscious.
These measures, when applied consistently, can reduce vulnerability to crime.
Self-Defence as a Survival Skill
General Musa compared self-defence to life skills such as swimming or driving, noting that they are essential for survival. He added that Nigerians should not take these abilities for granted, as they prepare individuals for unforeseen dangers.
For example:
- Swimming can save lives during flooding or accidents near water.
- Driving skills help in emergencies where quick transportation is needed.
- Combat training empowers people to resist attackers until help arrives.
These skills combined make Nigerians more resilient in times of crisis.
The call by General Christopher Musa is a wake-up call for Nigerians to embrace combat skills for self-defence and general survival training. In today’s environment, depending solely on law enforcement is not enough—every individual must play a role in protecting themselves and their communities.
Now is the time to take action: learn a martial art, improve your swimming and driving skills, and stay vigilant. Your ability to defend yourself and recognize danger could make the difference between life and death.
