Tinubu’s security efforts get 70% score from defence minister

Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has scored between 65 and 70 per cent in tackling insecurity, according to Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa.

Musa gave the assessment during an interview on Arise News on Friday, as the government marked three years in office. He said while no country is completely free of crime, Nigeria has made notable progress, particularly in reducing large-scale terrorist activities.

“I’ll give us 65 to 70 per cent,” he said, adding that terrorism had significantly declined and was now largely limited to isolated incidents such as kidnappings.

The minister, however, acknowledged that abductions—especially those involving schoolchildren—remain a serious concern. He described kidnapping as not only a security issue but also a reflection of deeper societal problems, including a breakdown in family values.

“We now see cases where relatives are involved in kidnappings. It shows something is wrong at the family level,” he said.

His remarks come amid recent waves of school attacks. Between May 13 and 15, at least 82 pupils were abducted in separate incidents in Borno and Oyo states. In Borno, dozens of students were taken from schools in Askira Uba and Chibok, while in Oyo, gunmen carried out coordinated attacks on multiple schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting about 40 pupils.

Security authorities linked the Oyo incident to elements of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), a faction previously displaced by military operations.

Despite these incidents, Musa insisted that security forces were making steady gains. He pointed to a recent covert operation that led to the killing of a deputy ISIS commander, describing it as the result of months of intelligence gathering and coordination.

He also noted improved collaboration between citizens and security agencies, saying increased public support was strengthening operations on the ground.

On the international front, Musa said Nigeria was deepening partnerships with countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and Turkey, all of which are providing technical support and platforms to enhance counter-terrorism efforts.

He warned that allowing insurgency to persist could have long-term consequences, citing Turkey’s decades-long struggle with terrorism as a cautionary example.

Musa further urged Nigerians to reject criminal shortcuts to wealth, arguing that many involved in kidnapping were motivated by greed and a desire for quick money rather than legitimate work.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges, the minister maintained that the government was making measurable progress and remained committed to strengthening national security.