Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has rated the security performance of the Tinubu administration at between 65 and 70 per cent, saying the country has recorded a significant reduction in terrorism but continues to grapple with kidnapping and school abductions.
Musa made the assessment during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, marking three years of the administration.
“I’ll give ourselves 65 to 70,” he said, adding that no country is completely free of crime and insecurity.
He noted that while terrorism has been “drastically reduced,” Nigeria is now dealing more with isolated kidnapping incidents across various parts of the country.
“Yes. 65 to 70%. No nation is totally free from crime and criminality,” he said, attributing the persistence of insecurity partly to broader social and family breakdowns.
The minister described kidnapping as a societal problem as well as a security challenge, arguing that weakened family values contribute to criminal behaviour.
His comments come amid a fresh wave of school abductions across Nigeria.
At least 82 pupils were reportedly kidnapped between May 13 and 15 in separate attacks in Borno and Oyo states.
In Borno State, 42 pupils were abducted following coordinated attacks on schools in Askira Uba and Chibok local government areas.
In Oyo State, 40 pupils were abducted during simultaneous attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where one teacher was killed and a motorcyclist was also murdered.
The Defence Headquarters linked the Oyo attack to terrorists affiliated with the JAS group, while military operations continue in affected areas.
Following the incidents, authorities temporarily shut down Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Borno State’s Askira/Uba LGA as part of security measures.
Rights group Amnesty International said at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026, warning of a continuing protection crisis.
The recent attacks add to a broader pattern of insecurity, including earlier abductions in Kogi State and mass kidnappings recorded in Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara states in late 2025.
Musa said those involved in kidnapping are driven largely by greed and a desire for quick wealth, urging Nigerians to embrace hard work and lawful means of livelihood.
He also referenced a recent covert military operation in which Nigerian forces reportedly killed a senior ISIS commander after months of surveillance.
According to him, the success reflects improved intelligence gathering and operational capability within the armed forces.
Musa added that public cooperation has improved significantly, describing it as a key advantage in ongoing security operations.
He also highlighted international collaboration, noting support from partners including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and Turkey in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
He warned that allowing terrorism to take root is difficult to reverse, citing long-term conflicts in other countries as cautionary examples.
“Do not allow asymmetric warfare to commence,” he said, stressing the importance of sustained investment in security and intelligence capabilities.
