Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, has rated the administration of President Bola Tinubu between 65 and 70 per cent in its handling of security challenges across the country.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday to mark the administration’s third anniversary, Musa said terrorism had significantly reduced compared to previous years, although isolated cases of kidnapping and violent attacks still persist.
“I’ll give ourselves 65 to 70,” he said when asked to assess the government’s performance.
“Yes. 65 to 70%. No nation is totally free from crime and criminality. I’m sure you are aware that the level of terrorism across the country has actually drastically reduced. Now we have acts of terrorism, and terrorism, like I said, is a social vice, a failure of family values,” he stated.
The minister described kidnapping as a growing social problem tied to moral decline and weakening family values rather than solely a failure of security agencies.
“We have fathers kidnapping children, children kidnapping each other, brothers kidnapping sisters. It tells you that something is wrong with the family, and we need to look inward to see how we can develop those aspects,” he said.
His comments come amid increasing concern over mass abductions in parts of the country.
Between May 13 and 15, no fewer than 82 schoolchildren were abducted during separate attacks in Borno and Oyo states.
In Borno State, 42 pupils were kidnapped after gunmen invaded schools in Askira Uba and Chibok local government areas.
Another 40 pupils were abducted in Oyo State during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Oyo attack also claimed lives, including that of mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly beheaded by the attackers. A motorcyclist and a security operative also died during rescue efforts.
The Defence Headquarters later linked the attackers in Oyo to members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction displaced from other regions by ongoing military operations.
Musa, however, maintained that security agencies were making progress and blamed many kidnapping cases on individuals seeking quick wealth.
“People need to understand that to make money, you must work very hard. Don’t look for shortcuts. Most of those taking part in kidnappings and related crimes are looking for shortcuts,” he said.
The defence minister also pointed to recent military successes against terrorist groups, revealing that Nigerian forces recently eliminated a deputy ISIS commander after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
READ ALSO:
- Nollywood Actor Patrick Okoye Dies
- Defence Minister Musa Rates Tinubu’s Security Performance 70% Amid Rising Kidnappings
- Ini Edo Opens Online Tribute Platform for Alex Ekubo
- Ebola Threat: Emergency Watch Declared In Lagos, FCT, Eight States
- FULL TEXT: Tinubu Addresses Nigerians On Third Anniversary In Office
“The recent killing of that deputy ISIS commander was a painstaking operation that began since last year. We followed through, ensured we were certain of our target, and when we struck, we got them. That is what we are doing,” Musa explained.
He added that public cooperation with security agencies had improved significantly.
“The level of support we’re getting is far better than it used to be, and we’re making more inroads. Nigerians are working with us, and I want to appreciate them,” he said.
Musa further disclosed that Nigeria was receiving support from international partners, including the United States, Britain, France, Brazil, and Turkey, in its fight against terrorism.
“We are working with our partners, the Americans, the British, the French, all of them want Nigeria to succeed. They are bringing platforms we don’t have, and we are working together,” he said.
Warning against allowing insurgency to become deeply rooted, the minister cited Turkey’s decades-long battle with terrorism as a lesson for Nigeria.
“Do not allow asymmetric warfare to commence. Do not allow acts of terrorism to take root, it is extremely difficult to reverse. Look at Turkey. It took them 40 years, and it is only now that they are getting over it.
“We are learning from them, partnering with them, developing our special forces, and getting experience.
“We are also working with the French and the Brazilians. Everyone is putting hands on deck to ensure we achieve success,” Musa added.