By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in June 2023, the nation was neck-deep in security turbulence, insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, separatist agitations in the South-East, and rising urban criminality across major cities.
For years, the office of the CDS was perceived as largely ceremonial, often eclipsed by the service chiefs in visibility and operational control. But Musa has quietly changed that perception.
Unlike many of his predecessors, the Defence Chief has built his leadership not on press statements or protocol-driven meetings, but on direct field engagement, inter-agency collaboration, and a hands-on presence in Nigeria’s most volatile zones.
A proud product of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 38th Regular Course, Musa has served with distinction in nearly every major operational theatre. From coordinating anti-smuggling operations at the 82 Division to gaining multinational experience with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), his career has been defined by courage, professionalism, and discipline.
As General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 7 Division, Musa confronted the Boko Haram insurgency head-on. Later, as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, he led decisive offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP, reclaiming dozens of communities and restoring civil authority in territories once held by insurgents.
Musa’s strategy combined kinetic action with non-kinetic engagement, including community outreach and confidence-building measures, a balance that earned him respect among security analysts and humanitarian actors.
Since assuming office as CDS, Musa has placed a strong emphasis on joint operations among the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and paramilitary agencies. This synergy has led to major breakthroughs: high-profile arrests of terrorist commanders, dismantling of bandit enclaves in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto, and enhanced maritime patrols that have reduced crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
He is known for showing up, often unannounced, at the scenes of crises, from bombings in Borno to abductions in Kaduna and communal clashes in Plateau and Benue. These visits, aimed at boosting troop morale and reassuring affected civilians, have become a hallmark of his leadership style.
Breaking away from the tradition of detached military leadership, Gen. Musa frequently appears at security summits, policy dialogues, and media engagements, where his calm tone and candour have helped rebuild public trust in the Armed Forces.
Among officers, he is regarded as “a soldier’s general”, approachable yet uncompromising on discipline. His focus on troop welfare, prompt entitlements, and modern combat logistics reflects his belief that motivated soldiers deliver superior performance.
To victims of terrorism and banditry, Musa’s empathy is evident. Survivors recount his personal visits to affected communities, delivery of relief materials, and assurances of sustained patrols to enable displaced residents return home.
While Nigeria’s security challenges remain formidable, independent monitoring groups report a gradual decline in coordinated terrorist attacks in the North-East and a significant disruption of bandit logistics in the North-West since mid-2023.
General Musa’s tenure has transformed the CDS office from a ceremonial position into a strategic command hub central to Nigeria’s security architecture. His blend of battlefield experience, strategic planning, and transparent leadership has repositioned the Defence Headquarters as a symbol of renewed military purpose.
Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa embodies the kind of Defence Chief Nigeria needed all along, firm, focused, and forward-looking.
Israel Bulus, writes from Kaduna.
israelbulus@gmail.com
