Tag: DEFENCE MINISTER

Insecurity: “Terrorism has drastically reduced” – Defence Minister

Aminu Imam
Defence Minister on terrorism

…Rates performance 70% Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, says terrorism has significantly reduced across Nigeria, rating the country’s overall security performance at between 65 and 70 percent. He made this known during an interview yesterday, noting that no nation is completely free from crime and criminality. According to him, although incidents of terrorism and kidnapping still occur, the security situation has improved considerably compared to previous years. Musa attributed a large part of the security challenges to the erosion of family values and poor social orientation, adding that many perpetrators…

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N’East attacks: Defence Minister urges Nigerians not to lose hope

Aminu Imam
Defence Min. urges Nigerians

…As Tinubu approves more equipment for military  Security Chiefs have briefed President Bola Tinubu on the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry across the country, as the Federal Government moves to strengthen military operations following a recent surge in attacks in the North-East. The closed-door meeting, held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by top security officials led by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, alongside the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribaɗu, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and Heads of the armed forces and intelligence…

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Rising Attacks: Defence Minister orders S’Chiefs to rejig operations in N’East, N’West

Aminu Imam
Defence Minister orders S'Chiefs

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), yesterday summoned Nigeria’s Service Chiefs to an emergency security meeting in Abuja and directed them to immediately review and strengthen military operations in the North-East and North-West following recent attacks on military formations. The high-level meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, brought together top military leadership including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff, Air-Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Idi Abass. Representatives…

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Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Shettima leads tributes

Aminu Imam
Shettima leads tributes

…As military vows to defend Nigeria’s democracy Vice-President Kashim Shettima yesterday led senior government officials, military chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps in honouring Nigeria’s fallen heroes at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony held in Abuja. The ceremony commenced with the submission of the parade state by the parade commander, followed by an inspection of the guard of honour by the Vice-President, who represented President Bola Tinubu, alongside the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya. A firing party later escorted dignitaries to the cenotaph,…

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“Backing bandits makes you one of them”, Defence Min. warns Nigerians

Aminu Imam
Defence Min. warns

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups aiding terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal networks, urging them to desist or face the consequences as security forces intensify operations nationwide. Musa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised the Armed forces and other security agencies to decisively confront all elements undermining national security, including their collaborators. “I call on all Nigerians to continue to support the armed forces and security agencies and work for peace. To those that are still supporting those…

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Tinubu swears-in ex-CDS Musa as Defence Minister

Aminu Imam
Tinubu swears in Musa

President Bola Tinubu yesterday administered the oath of office on former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), officially naming him the nation’s new Minister of Defence. The brief ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, came barely 24 hours after the Senate confirmed his nomination following an intense five-hour screening. During the screening, senators interrogated Musa on recent security breaches, particularly the controversial withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls on November 17. He told lawmakers…

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“Kidnappings localised; we must build community defences” – Minister-designate, Musa

Aminu Imam
Minister Musa vows

…Vows probes, reforms Former Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence–designate, General Christopher Musa (rtd), yesterday outlined a sweeping security reform agenda, stressing that strengthening community resilience is central to tackling Nigeria’s escalating wave of mass abductions. Speaking during his ministerial screening at the Senate, the nominee described the recurring kidnapping of schoolchildren as “tragic and unacceptable”, insisting that Nigeria must overhaul its approach to securing vulnerable communities. He said the ‘Safe Schools Initiative’, launched to protect learning environments, must be critically reviewed and strengthened to close existing security…

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Tinubu appoints ex-CDS Musa as Nigeria’s Defence Minister 

Aminu Imam
Tinubu appoints ex CDS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence. In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday. General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the ‘Colin Powell Award for Soldiering’ in 2012. Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and…

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“FG won’t allow another school attack, students’ abductions” – Defence Minister

Aminu Imam
Badaru Abkr on abductions

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will not allow a repeat of attacks on schools across the country. Speaking in an interview in Dutse, Jigawa state,  the Minister said intelligence operatives have been deployed to high-risk areas to forestall further breaches. According to him, security agencies are on heightened alert. “Our intelligence personnel are everywhere – especially in places with high threat levels – gathering information for lasting solutions”, he said. Badaru insisted that the recent incidents should not be interpreted as a…

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Wike–Military clash sparks national outrage

Aminu Imam
Wike–Military clash

…Defence Minister backs soldiers, Buratai, others demand apology A fierce national debate has erupted, following the heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer at a disputed plot of land in Abuja, with the Defence Minister, military veterans, a former Army chief, and a constitutional lawyer all weighing-in with sharply divided views. The face-off, which occurred on Tuesday at Plot 1946 in the Gaduwa District, was captured in a viral video showing Wike berating the officer for allegedly protecting an “illegally…

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