Nigerian defense Minister resigns amid escalating insecurity
Nigeria’s Defense Minister Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has stepped down from his post as the country confronts a sharp rise in insecurity. In a resignation letter submitted Monday to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar cited health concerns as the reason for leaving office. The presidency confirmed that Tinubu accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for his service.
A new defense minister is expected to be announced later this week, once the president formally notifies the Senate.
Abubakar, 63, previously governed Jigawa State for two consecutive terms between 2015 and 2023 before being appointed defense minister on August 21, 2023.
His departure comes days after President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency in response to a surge in deadly attacks and kidnappings across the country. As part of new measures, the president ordered the Department of State Services to deploy trained forest guards tasked with clearing terrorist groups from remote woodlands.
Tinubu also requested that the National Assembly review legislation to allow the creation of state-level police forces where needed and called on local authorities, as well as religious institutions, to reinforce security protocols.
The country has been shaken by several high-profile kidnappings in recent months. In one of the most alarming incidents, more than 300 schoolchildren were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State. Around 50 students managed to escape, but many remain in captivity.
Meanwhile, tensions rose after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened potential military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians—claims that Abuja strongly refuted as inaccurate and misleading.
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