By Luminous Jannamike
MINISTER of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), says Nigeria cannot defeat banditry, terrorism and violent extremism through military force alone, arguing that education remains one of the country’s most powerful weapons against insecurity.
At a time when security agencies are battling banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes, speakers at an event in Kaduna argued that tackling the roots of insecurity requires more than military action.
They said education, community engagement, interfaith cooperation and public support for security agencies are all essential to achieving lasting peace.
Musa spoke at the commissioning of Kaduna Christian Academy, a faith-based school donated to the Kaduna Christian community by friends of the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.
The event also drew support from the Kaduna State Government, Christian and Muslim leaders, and community stakeholders, who linked education to security, social development and national unity.
“When we speak of national defence, the instinct is to focus on boots on the ground, air power or intelligence gathering. However, true and lasting security is anchored on one critical element: the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. This school is a weapon of mass instruction in the right hands,” Musa said.
The minister warned that terrorists and bandits often depend on local collaborators for information, logistics and other forms of support, insisting that security agencies cannot succeed without the cooperation of citizens.
“If we keep quiet, they will continue to destroy us. But if we speak out, they will not have any space to survive,” Musa said as he urged residents to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies.
Describing the academy as a strategic non-kinetic intervention, he said security agencies must complement traditional operations with investments that create opportunities for young people and strengthen communities.
Musa said the DSS had shown that internal security is not only about surveillance and arrests, but also about earning public trust and helping to build a more secure future.
According to him, an educated and enlightened population provides a stronger defence against extremism, criminality and social instability than force alone, while schools help equip children with knowledge, critical thinking skills and sound moral values.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for efforts to improve the quality of education in the country, saying stronger educational opportunities would help build a more informed, productive and resilient society.
The Defence Minister also hailed Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for promoting inclusion, development and peaceful coexistence, which he said had contributed to improvements in security and governance in the state.
Musa further hailed the resilience and peaceful disposition of the people of Southern Kaduna, urging them to resist attempts by divisive elements to undermine unity and harmony in the area.
The academy is the second school donated by friends of the DSS Director-General in less than two years. In May 2025, they built and handed over an Islamic school to the Muslim community in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a gesture speakers said reflected a commitment to using education to bridge divides and strengthen interfaith harmony.
Echoing the minister’s message, the Kaduna State Government said investment in education remains central to its development agenda and the future prosperity of the state.
“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal, human capital and social development. Every classroom built creates opportunity for learning. Every child educated strengthens our communities. And every investment in education contributes to a more prosperous future for our state and the nation,” Kanyip said.
He described the commissioning as more than the opening of a new school.
“Today, we are not merely opening a new building. We are celebrating hope, opportunity and transformation,” he added.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the project was facilitated by the DSS Director-General because of his belief that education remains one of the most effective responses to insecurity, poverty and other social challenges.
“Today is more than the opening of a school building. Today is the opening of doors to opportunity, doors to knowledge, doors to growth and a brighter future for our children,” Hayab said.
He noted that many communities still struggle to access quality education because of inadequate facilities, limited learning materials and economic hardship.
“Today we stand together to declare that every child, regardless of background, deserves access to quality education, moral guidance and the opportunity to dream big,” he said.
Hayab said the academy was established not only to pursue academic excellence but also to nurture discipline, character, faith, leadership and compassion.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Muslim community, the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, Prof Suleiman Adam, commended the DSS Director-General for extending to Christians the same gesture previously offered to Muslims, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to interfaith harmony.
Speaking on behalf of the donors, Malam Musa Suleiman said education remains one of the most effective tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.
