(Minister Christopher Musa. Photo by Guardian Nigeria News)
Nigeria’s Defence Minister Christopher Musa gave the Tinubu government a score of 65–70% on security, saying that while terrorism has significantly declined, kidnapping particularly of schoolchildren remains a serious problem.
Speaking in a social media post to mark three years of the administration, Musa argued that kidnapping is largely a reflection of broken family values rather than purely a security failure.
He called on Nigerians to reject get-rich-quick mentalities, saying most kidnappers are simply looking for shortcuts to wealth.
His comments came shortly after a troubling wave of school abductions. Between May 13 and 15, at least 82 pupils were seized in separate incidents across Borno and Oyo states.
The Oyo attack was particularly brutal a teacher was beheaded, a motorcyclist killed, and a security operative died after encountering explosives planted by the abductors.
The Defence Headquarters linked the Oyo kidnappings to the JAS terror group, which had been pushed out of other regions by military pressure.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern. Amnesty International reported over 1,100 abductions in just the first four months of 2026. Similar mass kidnappings occurred in Kogi State in April and across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara states in late 2025.
On the positive side, Musa pointed to the recent killing of a deputy ISIS commander as proof of growing military capability, and noted improved cooperation from the public.
He also highlighted active partnerships with the US, UK, France, Brazil, and Turkey, who are providing equipment and expertise.
He cautioned that allowing terrorism to become entrenched is extremely difficult to reverse, using Turkey’s 40-year struggle as a warning.
