By Paul Joseph
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has sparked widespread reactions after rating the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between 65 and 70 percent on security performance despite ongoing cases of kidnappings and attacks across the country.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News to commemorate the administration’s third anniversary, Musa said terrorism in Nigeria had been “drastically reduced,” while describing kidnapping as a wider societal issue connected to the erosion of family values and social structures.
The minister maintained that the government and security agencies had made notable progress in combating insurgency and criminal activities, particularly in the North-East.
However, his comments immediately triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians on X, with many users questioning the assessment in light of continued insecurity in states such as Oyo, Borno and Kebbi.
Several critics argued that school abductions, ransom payments and attacks on rural communities remain major concerns under the current administration.
Popular commentator David Hundeyin wrote, “You cannot be scoring yourself 70% when children are still being abducted from schools and communities are paying ransom weekly.”
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also criticised the minister’s remarks, saying, “The reality Nigerians face daily does not reflect this performance rating. Security is still collapsing in many parts of the country.”
Another X user, @Imranmuhdz, questioned the government’s claims, asking why parents in some regions still fear sending their children to school if insecurity had truly reduced.
Despite the criticism, some Nigerians defended the minister and the military, insisting that security forces have recorded gains against insurgent groups in recent years.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama stated that terrorist groups had lost territories and several commanders had been neutralised, though he acknowledged that challenges persist.
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode also praised the armed forces, arguing that critics often ignore the complexities involved in fighting asymmetric warfare.
During the interview, Musa further disclosed that Nigerian security forces recently eliminated a deputy ISIS commander after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance operations.
He also commended international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Brazil and Turkey, for supporting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
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