Nigeria’s Defence Minister Resigns Amid Security Crisis
Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from his post citing health reasons, the presidential spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
His departure comes at a critical time for the country, which is grappling with a sharp surge in mass kidnappings and worsening security conditions. In the past two weeks alone, approximately 490 people have been abducted across multiple states.
Two recent high-profile incidents have underscored the crisis:
· In Kogi state, attackers targeted a church, abducting a pastor and several worshippers.
· In Sokoto state, gunmen kidnapped about 30 women from a community in Sakoko, including a bride and her wedding guests.
Abubakar, a former governor of Jigawa state, had served as Defence Minister since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023. His tenure was marked by persistent challenges from armed groups, bandits, and insurgents, particularly in the nation’s north.
According to reports, former Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa is set to be named as his replacement. General Musa, a seasoned military leader, previously commanded Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram in the northeast.
The ministerial change is being watched closely, as the government faces mounting public pressure to curb the kidnapping epidemic and restore security ahead of the president’s first-year anniversary in office.
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