In its effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism the Federal Government has established a second community school in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State as part of a broader non-kinetic security strategy aimed at tackling the root causes of insecurity of
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, stated this during the inauguration of the Kaduna Christian Academy in Ungwan Sunday, Sabon Tasha, a school constructed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in partnership with private-sector stakeholders.
The newly commissioned academy became the second school built by the DSS in Chikun LGA, following an earlier intervention in the Danbushiya community where a school was established for the Muslim population.
The two projects are designed to expand access to education, promote inclusion and strengthen community resilience against extremist ideologies.
General Musa said Nigeria’s security challenges require a combination of military operations and strategic investments in education, describing learning as one of the most effective tools for defeating ignorance, radicalisation and violent extremism.
According to the Defence Minister, terrorist groups exploit poverty, illiteracy and misinformation to recruit vulnerable youths, making access to quality education critical to long-term peace and national stability.
“As Minister of Defence, I view this school as a critical military asset without a single rifle,” General Musa said. “The battle against insecurity is not won on the battlefield alone. It is also won in classrooms where young minds are empowered with knowledge, values and opportunities.”
The Minister noted that the Kaduna Christian Academy represents more than a physical structure, describing it as an investment in human capital, social cohesion and national security.
He commended the DSS for expanding its role beyond intelligence gathering and law enforcement to include community development initiatives capable of addressing some of the underlying drivers of insecurity.
The school project was delivered through collaboration between the DSS, Nest Global Resources, Dan Oil Exploration Limited and Tantina Security Services, highlighting growing partnerships between security institutions and the private sector in advancing national development objectives.
General Musa said the academy would provide young people with opportunities to acquire academic knowledge, critical thinking skills and civic values necessary for responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence.
The Minister urged residents to protect the facility and ensure that future generations benefit from the investment.
He also noted that the establishment of separate educational facilities for Christian and Muslim communities in Chikun Local Government Area demonstrates government’s commitment to inclusiveness, religious harmony and equal access to development opportunities.
For parents, he said the project sends a strong message that government remains committed to improving the welfare and future prospects of their children through education and community development.
For Kaduna State, he added, the academy complements ongoing efforts by the state government to expand access to quality education and strengthen social infrastructure across communities.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Justice, Barr. James Kanyip, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborating with security agencies, private organisations and community stakeholders to drive educational development and social progress.
The commissioning ceremony attracted senior government officials, security chiefs, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community representatives.
Observers say the construction of two schools in the same local government area by the DSS reflects a growing shift towards people-centred security interventions, with education increasingly recognised as a frontline defence against terrorism, extremism and social instability.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy of combining kinetic operations with community-based development programmes to build safer, more resilient and economically productive communities across the country.
