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Defence minister steps down citing health concerns
Nigeria's Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned with immediate effect, the presidential office confirmed on Tuesday. The 63-year-old cited health reasons for his departure, though specific details remain undisclosed. Abubakar, who took office in August 2023, submitted a resignation letter to President Bola Tinubu, who accepted it and commended his service to the nation.
Security challenges escalate across Nigeria
Abubakar's resignation comes as Nigeria grapples with a surge in mass kidnappings and other security threats. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 402 people-primarily schoolchildren-have been abducted since mid-November. The crisis deepened over the weekend when gunmen seized 20 individuals, including a Christian pastor and a Muslim bride with her bridesmaids, in separate raids in northern Nigeria.
In one of the most severe recent incidents, 250 schoolchildren and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in central Niger state remain missing following a mass kidnapping. Authorities have not identified the perpetrators, though analysts suggest criminal gangs seeking ransom payments are likely responsible. However, a presidential spokesman told the BBC the government suspects jihadist groups are behind the attacks.
Retired general nominated as successor
President Tinubu has nominated retired General Christopher Musa, 58, to replace Abubakar. Musa, who served as Nigeria's chief of defence staff from June 2023 until October 2025, is regarded as one of the country's most seasoned military strategists. He previously led major counter-insurgency operations against jihadist groups in the northeast.
The Senate is expected to begin confirmation hearings for Musa shortly. If approved, he will oversee what analysts describe as Nigeria's most ambitious security overhaul in decades.
Government announces emergency measures
In response to the deteriorating security situation, President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency. Plans include expanding the police force by 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000. Nigeria faces multiple security threats, including kidnappings for ransom, an Islamist insurgency in the northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, and clashes between herders and farmers over land and water resources.
Experts attribute the challenges to corruption, poor intelligence sharing, and underfunded local policing. Abubakar, a former two-term governor of Jigawa state (2015-2023), played a key role in Tinubu's 2023 presidential campaign and was later appointed defence minister as a reward for his support.
International scrutiny intensifies
The US House Committee on Appropriations will convene a high-level roundtable on Tuesday to examine allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, reflecting growing global concern over the country's escalating violence. Committee Chairman Tom Cole stated on X, "We will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith."
Earlier this month, former US President Donald Trump threatened military intervention if Nigeria's government failed to curb attacks on Christians. Nigerian officials and security analysts have emphasized that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of the violence.
Last week, Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, led a delegation to Washington for security talks. The discussions resulted in the establishment of a US-Nigerian working group focused on strengthening defence and security cooperation.
