Immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has expressed fulfilment as he officially bowed out of the Nigerian Armed Forces, declaring that he was leaving office “with a clear conscience” after giving his best to the fight against insecurity.
Speaking during his pull-out parade in Abuja on Friday, General Musa reflected on his nearly four decades in military service, describing his journey as one defined by dedication, accountability, and patriotism.
“As I hang my uniform today, I do so with a clear conscience, knowing that I gave my all. I leave with cherished memories of camaraderie — of battles fought and triumphs celebrated as one family. The sound of the bugle may change for me, but the soldier’s heart beats on forever,” he said.
Musa expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as Chief of Defence Staff, pledging to remain loyal to the President and the Nigerian nation even in retirement.
“I might be retiring from active military service today, but I’m by no means retiring from my love for our dear country, Nigeria. I remain a soldier at heart and a patriot ever loyal to the constitution and sovereignty of our great nation. Once again, I appreciate Mr President for the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Defence Staff for two years plus,” he said.
The retired general emphasized that the war against insecurity cannot be won by the military alone, calling for stronger inter-agency collaboration and continued public support for frontline troops.
“I want to state this clearly, that there is no single institution, no single organisation that can win this war alone. We must synergise, we must collaborate, we must fight together, and I appeal to all Nigerians to pray for our troops, to pray for our security forces so that we can win — and together we shall succeed. Nigeria shall continue to develop,” he said.
Musa also extended his congratulations to his successor, General Olufemi Oluyede, urging officers to uphold loyalty and professionalism under the new leadership. He further appreciated his family, whom he described as “unsung heroes” for their sacrifices, and thanked the media and sister security agencies for their support during his tenure.
Appointed on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu, General Musa’s exit marks the end of a distinguished era in Nigeria’s defence leadership, as General Oluyede formally assumes office as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
