Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s defence minister, says the President Bola Tinubu administration has achieved about 65 to 70 percent success in tackling insecurity, even as renewed kidnappings and school attacks continue to test public confidence in the country’s security situation.
His assessment comes amid a fresh spike in violent incidents targeting rural communities and educational institutions across several states.
Musa made the claim on Friday during an interview on ARISE News, where he reviewed the government’s security performance after three years in office.
He said terrorism has significantly declined compared to previous years, crediting sustained military operations across the North-East, North-West and other conflict-prone regions for weakening extremist and criminal networks.
However, he acknowledged that kidnappings, banditry and sporadic attacks remain a major concern.
According to him, the progress recorded so far reflects consistent pressure on armed groups through coordinated security operations. He maintained that while challenges persist, the overall trajectory shows improvement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
The Defence Minister also argued that Nigeria’s security challenges should be viewed in a global context, stressing that no country is entirely free from crime. He said Nigerian forces have continued to disrupt criminal operations, even as non-state actors adapt their tactics.
Musa further attributed the persistence of kidnapping to what he described as a breakdown in societal and family values.
He expressed concern that the pursuit of quick wealth has pushed some young people into violent crime, warning that in some cases, victims are targeted within their own families.
His comments come in the wake of a series of coordinated school abductions that have reignited public anxiety. In Borno State, gunmen reportedly abducted dozens of pupils following attacks on schools in Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas.
In Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, armed men also kidnapped pupils and teachers during separate raids, deepening fears over the safety of schools nationwide.
Security analysts say the recent incidents highlight gaps in intelligence and protection of vulnerable communities, even as the federal government insists that ongoing military pressure and reforms will continue to reduce insecurity over time.
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