Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned immediately, citing health reasons, the presidency announced on Monday. His resignation comes as the country faces a growing wave of insecurity, including mass kidnappings of schoolchildren and other civilians.
The announcement was made by President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that Abubakar, 63, stepped down with immediate effect. The resignation follows President Tinubu’s declaration last week of a nationwide security emergency. The president plans to provide further details on measures to address the crisis.
In recent weeks, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming rise in kidnappings. In one notable incident on November 21, armed gangs abducted more than 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s co-educational school in north-central Nigeria. While fifty people managed to escape, most remain in captivity. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu reassured the public that “the children are fine and will be back soon.”
Mass kidnappings are not new in Nigeria. The country has long battled insecurity, including Boko Haram terrorist attacks in the northeast and gang-related kidnappings for ransom. The infamous Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping over a decade ago highlighted the country’s struggles to protect its citizens.
In response to the current crisis, President Tinubu has ordered emergency measures, including large-scale recruitment of police and military personnel. Kidnappings have recently targeted a wide range of people, including schoolchildren, teachers, worshippers, priests, brides and their attendants, farmers, women, and children.
The international spotlight on Nigeria’s security situation has intensified. In October, then-US President Donald Trump labeled Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious freedom violations, raising threats of possible military intervention—remarks that were rejected by the Nigerian government.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to grapple with insecurity and terrorism while striving to protect its citizens and restore public confidence in the safety of its schools and communities.
