Security crisis in Nigeria: the Defense Minister resigns amid a surge in violence
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar is no longer Nigeria’s Minister of Defense. The presidency officially confirmed his resignation this Monday, December 2, 2025, citing “health reasons”.
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The timing did not go unnoticed, however, with the security situation remaining highly unstable, according to RFI.
The country has been shaken by an unusually large wave of kidnappings. In a few days, more than 400 people were kidnapped, including over 300 young people and 12 teachers during the attack on Saint Mary school in Papiri, in Niger State, on November 21.
To try to halt this spiral, President Bola Tinubu declared a security state of emergency and announced an action plan including the deployment of 20,000 additional police officers, as well as increased surveillance around schools and places of worship.
The announcement of the minister’s departure came shortly after a notable visit by the former head of the armed forces, General Christopher Musa, to the presidential palace at Aso Rock. His presence immediately fueled speculation about possible top-level consultations on national security.
At the end of October, General Musa had already been relieved of his duties as part of a reshuffle intended to “strengthen the national security architecture”.
Deeply involved in managing the crisis, President Tinubu gave up attending the G20 summit to devote himself entirely to domestic measures. The presidency is expected to announce in the coming days the name of the person who will take over the Defense portfolio.