The "Two-Legged" Doctrine: Minister of Defence Christopher Musa Outlines a Whole-of-Society Strategy to Defeat Terrorism

Minister of Defence Christopher Musa explains the "Whole-of-Society" approach, balancing kinetic military action with civilian collaboration to end terrorism.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 7:18 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The NEWS

A Philosophy of Unity: Moving Beyond Stand-Alone Military Action

Upon assuming the role of Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa has signaled a departure from traditional, isolated military operations. His core philosophy, "Unity of Purpose," posits that Nigeria’s security architecture is only as strong as its collective ownership. Musa argues that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) cannot operate as a stand-alone entity but must act as the facilitator for a nationwide security effort. This approach is rooted in his long career in command and staff positions, where he consistently observed that strategic success is most sustainable when military power is harmonized with civilian insight.

The "War of Legitimacy" vs. The "War of Attrition"

In a significant shift in doctrine, the Minister defines the current conflict not by body counts, but by the successful reintegration of individuals and the winning of "hearts and minds." He describes this as moving from a war of attrition—which he notes often exhausts public patience by only scratching the surface—to a war of legitimacy. This strategy focuses on addressing the root causes of radicalization. By prioritizing legitimacy, the military seeks to pull combatants "out of the bush" rather than simply engaging in an endless cycle of kinetic elimination.

The Borno Model and the Rebranding of Joint Tasks

Drawing from his experience as Theatre Commander, Musa highlights the "Borno Model" as a template for successful civil-military collaboration. He cites the rebranding of military operations in Plateau State from "Operation Safe Haven" to "Operation Enduring Peace" as a practical example of this mindset shift. This change was designed to signal to both troops and local communities that the ultimate objective is not a temporary ceasefire, but the establishment of a lasting, peaceful coexistence through mutual trust and shared intelligence.