ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned with immediate effect for health reasons, the presidency announced Tuesday.
The 63-year-old’s departure comes during a period of heightened insecurity, with the government under pressure to respond to a spate of mass kidnappings. The UN Human Rights Office reported last week that at least 402 people, mostly schoolchildren, have been abducted since mid-November.
Tinubu’s Response
President Bola Tinubu accepted Abubakar’s resignation and thanked him for his service. Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, pledging to recruit 20,000 more police officers to bolster the force to 50,000.
Tinubu nominated retired General Christopher Musa, 58, as Abubakar’s successor. Musa, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced military strategists, previously served as Chief of Defence Staff (2023–2025) and commanded major counter-insurgency operations against jihadist groups in the northeast.
Insecurity Crisis
Recent attacks highlight Nigeria’s worsening security situation:
- At least 20 people abducted in two raids in northern Nigeria on Sunday, including a Christian pastor, a Muslim bride, and her bridesmaids.
- 250 schoolchildren and 12 teachers remain missing after the mass abduction at a Catholic school in Niger state.
Analysts say most kidnappings are carried out by criminal gangs seeking ransom, though officials believe jihadist groups are also involved.
International Pressure
The crisis has drawn global concern. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee is holding a roundtable on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria. Chairman Tom Cole posted on X: “We will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith.”
Earlier in November, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military intervention if Nigeria failed to stop “the killing of Christians.” Nigerian officials insist both Christians and Muslims are victims of violence.
Last week, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu led a delegation to Washington, where a U.S.-Nigerian working group was agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation.