“Our Barracks Are Ready For Census” – CDS, General Musa Assures NPC of Seamless Exercise

“Our Barracks Are Ready For Census” – CDS, General Musa Assures NPC of Seamless Exercise

The Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has reaffirmed the military’s support to provide adequate security for logistics and personnel of the National Population Commission (NPC) to experience a smooth and successful conduct for census during the forthcoming national population census in Nigeria.

General Musa gave this assurance when he received the Chairman of, the National Population Commission, Nasir Kwarra, who led the Board of Commissioners and Directors of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Defence Headquarters today, 31st August 2023 in Abuja.

General Musa noted that the military knows the importance of the census, adding that a comprehensive Census makes sure that developmental processes follow adequate growth for the country’s security, where the military is most concerned.

He said the aspect of security is to ensure that Nigerians are enumerated such that we will be able to know where every Nigerian lives.

“We know the situations in each location, the population there, what threats they are facing there and how to mitigate such threats. So it’s going to be a comprehensive thing and there including the aspect of logistics. You know the military has a very comprehensive logistics system that works very well wherever we are and so we’re going to put all those available to the Commission to ensure that we have a successful Census,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of, the National Population Commission Nasir Isa Kwarra in his remarks lauded the Chief of Defence Staff’s Professionalism and leadership skills, thanked the armed forces for their selfless service rendering to Nigeria and for defending the territorial integrity and making sure there is peace in Nigeria. 

Kwarra said he is at the DHQ to also thank the Chief of Defence Staff for the support they’ve been rendering to the commission in the process of preparation for the conduct of the census and to brief him on the process of preparing for the census.

“We meant to have conducted a census in April 2023, but the administration then decided to shift it to when we have a new administration and now, we have a new administration. I’ve seen Mr. President and briefed him. Yes, he has assured us of his support to make sure we conducted the Census for the country.

“So we’re here to do advocacy and to also appraise the Chief of Defence Staff of whatever arrangement to conduct a census and to elicit the support of the military for us to conduct these census seamlessly. 

He said the military is part of the Nigerian populace, hence, the commission is seeking their support to provide security coverage for functionaries, and offices at the State, and local government levels and as well as to allow access to the barracks, military barracks nationwide.