Defence Minister Reports Tinubu Achieved 70% Security Score

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retd), stated on Friday that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has achieved a performance rating of between 65 and 70 percent in addressing insecurity, terrorism, and other national threats.

Speaking on ARISE TV News to mark Tinubu’s third year in office, Musa said that terrorism has been markedly reduced to isolated soft‑target incidents, such as kidnappings, which he described as a social vice rather than a security failure.

“We’ll give 65 to 70 percent performance in the fight against terrorism and insecurity. Yes. 65 to 70%. No nation is totally free from crime and criminality,” he said.

“I’m sure you are aware that the level of terrorism across the country has actually drastically reduced. Now we have isolated acts of terrorism, and like I said, it is a social vice, a failure of family values.”

Gen Musa characterized kidnapping largely as a societal crisis, pointing to the breakdown of family structure as the root cause. “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 added.

He continued that those involved in kidnapping were driven by greed and a refusal to embrace honest labour, calling for a shift in values around wealth creation. “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.

Recounting a recently executed covert operation, Gen Musa said Nigerian forces eliminated the deputy ISIS commander after months of careful tracking. “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,” he explained.

He noted that security forces were receiving greater public cooperation than in previous years, describing it as a “significant operational advantage.” “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.

Gen Musa highlighted deepening international partnerships with the United States, Britain, France, Brazil, and Turkey, saying they were actively contributing platforms and expertise to Nigeria’s counter‑terrorism efforts. “We are working with our partners, the Americans, the British, and the French; all of them want Nigeria to succeed. They are bringing platforms we don’t have, and we are working together,” he said.

He warned of the consequences of allowing terrorism to take root, citing Turkey’s four‑decade struggle as a cautionary example. “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,” he said.

He added that the French and Brazilians were also involved, with everyone “putting hands on deck to ensure we achieve success.”

The minister’s remarks come amid a recent Amnesty International report stating that at least 1,100 people had been abducted between January and April 2026.

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