Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has identified the breakdown of the family system as a fundamental cause of the country’s worsening insecurity. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Exercise Haske Biyu held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna, General Musa emphasized that strong families are the bedrock of stable communities and national security.
“The family is the foundation of every community. Without a stable family structure, societal cohesion and security collapse,” he said. General Musa warned that as family systems fail, insecurity grows, urging families to instill discipline, respect, and love in their members to nurture responsible citizens who uphold social order and civic duties.
The Defence Chief highlighted that insecurity cannot be resolved solely by military efforts. He called for collective action involving families, communities, and government agencies to combat crime, extremism, and radicalization effectively. “Strong family bonds translate to national unity and resilience,” he added.
General Musa also praised the role of the media in educating the public and urged communities to deny criminals sanctuary, stressing that the survival of Nigeria depends on collective responsibility and cooperation.
The exercise themed “Family and National Security” underscored the critical role of moral and cultural values transmitted within families to boosting national security. The Chief of Defence Staff stressed that a stable family system helps reduce vulnerability to criminal networks, extremism, and social disintegration, noting the urgent need for reinvigorated family-centered policies to secure Nigeria’s future.