By Bavoriat Clara
As part of ongoing efforts to foster national security consciousness and promote robust civil-military relations, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has flagged off a Security Awareness Campaign for corps members at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.
Represented by Major Ayo Omojokun, the CDS led a delegation from the Defence Headquarters alongside other security agencies and defence correspondents to sensitise corps members on essential aspects of personal safety, community intelligence, emergency response, and digital security.
The campaign is part of the Defence Headquarters’ broader non-kinetic strategy to win hearts and minds, particularly among Nigerian youths serving across the country.
According to the CDS, corps members are not just youth ambassadors but also critical stakeholders in the nation’s security architecture. By virtue of their deployment across diverse communities, they serve as frontline observers whose timely intelligence and vigilance can help prevent crimes, reduce threats, and enhance communal peace.
He stressed that insecurity is not the sole responsibility of uniformed personnel but a collective obligation that requires awareness, preparedness, and patriotism from all citizens.
General Musa further explained that the NYSC platform offers a unique opportunity to interface directly with Nigeria’s future leaders. “The military recognises that no sustainable security can be achieved without the cooperation of the civilian populace, especially the youth.
This campaign aims to equip them with the basic tools to protect themselves and contribute meaningfully to national security,” he stated through his representative.
Speaking during the engagement, the NYSC Camp Director, Mr. Edwin Ughanze, described the campaign as timely and impactful. He disclosed that no fatalities had been recorded in the camp since the commencement of the orientation exercise, attributing this success to proactive collaboration with the security agencies.
He urged corps members to remain conscious of their surroundings and always take note of the nearest exit points, stressing that awareness during emergencies could be the difference between life and death.
Also speaking, the NYSC Camp Commander, Captain Timothy Kadanga of the 401 Special Forces Brigade, reassured the corps members of their safety. He revealed that troops were deployed ahead of the corps members’ arrival and that four observation posts had been established around the camp to enhance surveillance. Routine night patrols are being conducted, and the adjacent Amami Market is closed daily at 10 p.m. to align with camp safety protocols.
Several corps members expressed appreciation for the initiative. Babatunde Oluwaseyi Testimony said the campaign opened his eyes to the importance of personal responsibility in security matters. Ojadi Chidera highlighted the danger of misinformation and advised fellow corps members to avoid spreading fake news. Muhammad Hamza and Akinpelu Joshua stressed the need for vigilance, discipline, and patriotism during the service year.
The Security Awareness Campaign forms part of the Defence Headquarters’ broader commitment to enhancing national cohesion, building public trust, and reducing insecurity through community engagement, public enlightenment, and youth inclusion in the national defence conversation.
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