Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has rated President Bola Tinubu’s administration between 65 and 70 per cent in its efforts to combat insecurity, terrorism and other security threats across the country.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE TV to mark the President’s third year in office, Musa said significant progress has been made in weakening terrorist groups and reducing large-scale attacks nationwide.
According to the Defence Minister, terrorism in Nigeria has been pushed back considerably, with most recent incidents involving isolated attacks on vulnerable communities and kidnappings rather than coordinated insurgent operations.
He argued that while security agencies have intensified operations against criminal elements, the growing wave of kidnappings also reflects deeper social problems within society.
Musa expressed concern over what he described as a breakdown in family values, noting that cases now involve relatives and close associates targeting one another for financial gain.
He stated that many criminals are motivated by the desire to make quick money without legitimate work, stressing that Nigerians must embrace hard work instead of seeking shortcuts to wealth.
The Defence Minister also highlighted recent military successes, revealing that Nigerian security forces recently eliminated a top ISIS commander after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the operation was carefully planned and executed only after authorities confirmed the identity and location of the target.
Musa further credited improved cooperation from citizens for helping security agencies record more operational breakthroughs in recent months.
He praised Nigerians for providing intelligence and information that have assisted military and security personnel in tracking criminal networks and terrorist groups.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria continues to receive support from international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Brazil and Turkey, through intelligence sharing, training programmes and specialised security equipment.
Drawing lessons from countries that battled insurgency for decades, Musa warned that terrorism must never be allowed to become deeply rooted, noting that some nations spent decades trying to overcome similar security challenges.
Despite the minister’s positive assessment, concerns remain over the country’s security situation. His remarks come shortly after a report by Amnesty International claimed that more than 1,100 people were abducted across Nigeria between January and April 2026.
The contrasting views continue to fuel debate over the true state of security in the country and the effectiveness of ongoing government efforts.
Source: ARISE TV
