“A weapon of mass instruction”: Defence minister inaugurates DSS-built school in Kaduna

No rifles. No armoured vehicles. Just classrooms.

Defence Minister General Christopher Musa, retired, stood in Ungwan Sunday, Sabon Tasha on Sunday and called a new school his most powerful military asset.

“This school is a weapon of mass instruction in the right hands,” he told the crowd at the inauguration of Kaduna Christian Academy.

He said that, “True and lasting security is anchored on the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness.”

Built by the Department of State Services with Nest Global Resources, Dan Oil Exploration Ltd, and Tantina Security Services, the academy is the DSS’s second school intervention in Chikun LGA.

The first went to Danbushiya’s Muslim community. This one serves Christians.

Together, Musa said, they signal one thing: inclusive security.

Nigeria’s fight, he argued, is “asymmetric war.” Boko Haram, bandits, extremists — they don’t win with tanks. They win by selling lies to uneducated, hopeless youths.

“So the counter is simple,” Musa said. “Education, delivered in a safe environment.”

He told students the academy was their “sanctuary of hope” where they’d learn maths, English, citizenship and critical thinking.

To parents: “This is proof the State has not abandoned you.”

To Kaduna: “This bridges the gap between tactical operations and community development.”

Then he made a direct plea to local youths: Don’t burn it. Protect it.

“See this school not as a target, but as your inheritance. Work with DSS and other security agencies as partners in progress,” he urged them.

Governor Uba Sani, represented by Justice Commissioner Barr. James Kanyip, welcomed the project and promised more collaboration among state, security agencies, and private partners.

The message from Ungwan Sunday was clear: You can’t bomb your way out of radicalisation. Sometimes you have to build your way out.

These positions were contained in a statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence.