By Uzair Adam
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), says the administration of President Bola Tinubu has achieved between 65 and 70 per cent success in addressing insecurity, terrorism and other security threats across the country.
Speaking on ARISE TV during a programme marking Tinubu’s three years in office, Musa said terrorism in Nigeria had been reduced significantly, leaving mostly isolated incidents such as kidnappings.
“We’ll give 65 to 70 per cent performance in the fight against terrorism and insecurity. No nation is totally free from crime and criminality,” he said.
According to him, the level of terrorism across the country has reduced drastically, adding that many current security challenges are linked to societal problems and declining family values.
The defence minister described kidnapping as more of a social crisis than purely a security issue, noting that some cases now involve relatives abducting one another.
“We have fathers kidnapping children, children kidnapping each other, brothers kidnapping sisters. It tells you that something is wrong with the family,” he said.
Musa also blamed greed and the desire for quick wealth for the rise in kidnapping and related crimes, urging Nigerians to embrace hard work instead of shortcuts.
He cited the recent killing of a deputy ISIS commander as evidence of improved military operations, explaining that the operation followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
“The recent killing of that deputy ISIS commander was a painstaking operation that began since last year. We followed through and ensured we were certain of our target before striking,” he said.
The minister added that security agencies were receiving stronger cooperation from Nigerians, which he described as a major operational advantage in the fight against insecurity.
He also highlighted support from international partners including the United States, Britain, France, Brazil and Turkey, saying the countries were providing expertise and platforms to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Musa warned against allowing terrorism to become deeply rooted in Nigeria, citing Turkey’s decades-long battle against insurgency as an example of how difficult it can be to reverse.
His comments come amid concerns over rising abductions in parts of the country. Amnesty International recently reported that at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026.
