Nigeria’s Defense Minister Steps Down Amid Escalating Security Crisis

Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria’s Defense Minister, has resigned effective immediately, citing health reasons, the presidency confirmed. His resignation comes as President Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency in response to a surge in armed banditry and widespread kidnappings. 

In the past two weeks, nearly 490 individuals were abducted across multiple states, including 315 children from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Niger State, where approximately 50 later managed to escape. The northwest and north-central regions have experienced a notable rise in ransom-targeted attacks on churches, wedding ceremonies, and rural communities.

Following these alarming incidents, President Tinubu announced a security emergency and initiated a large-scale recruitment drive for police and military forces.