Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has rated the security performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration between 65 and 70 percent, insisting that the government has made significant gains against terrorism and insurgency across the country despite growing public concern over kidnappings and violent attacks.
The minister made the remarks during an interview on ARISE News while reviewing the administration’s achievements ahead of President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office. His assessment has since generated widespread reactions among Nigerians, especially as insecurity remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.
According to the Defence Minister, the security situation in Nigeria has improved considerably compared to previous years, particularly in areas once heavily controlled by terrorists and armed insurgent groups.
He explained that while criminal activities such as kidnapping still occur, the operational strength of terrorist organisations has weakened due to sustained military offensives, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations among Nigeria’s security agencies.
Badaru noted that the country can never claim complete victory over insecurity overnight because even advanced nations continue to battle different forms of crime and violence. However, he maintained that the Tinubu administration deserves credit for reducing the intensity of attacks in many troubled regions.
“I will rate this administration between 65 and 70 percent in terms of security performance,” the minister said during the interview.
The statement comes at a time when many Nigerians continue to express frustration over recurring kidnappings, attacks on farming communities, and increasing fears over school abductions in parts of the country.
Recent incidents in Borno and Oyo states have intensified national conversations about public safety and the effectiveness of the country’s security architecture.
In Borno State, armed men reportedly attacked communities in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas, abducting several students during separate operations. The attacks revived painful memories of previous mass kidnappings in the North East and sparked fresh concerns over the safety of schoolchildren in vulnerable communities.
A similar incident was reported in Oyo State, where gunmen allegedly stormed schools in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted pupils and teachers. Residents described the attacks as terrifying and called for urgent government intervention to prevent future occurrences.
Security experts say the resurgence of kidnapping incidents shows that although terrorist activities may have reduced in some regions, criminal gangs and bandit networks still pose serious threats to national stability.
Over the past year, the Federal Government has repeatedly announced new security measures aimed at combating insurgency, banditry, and organised crime. Military authorities have also intensified operations in several states affected by violent attacks.
The Defence Minister stated that Nigerian troops continue to record successes in dismantling terrorist hideouts, intercepting arms supplies, and neutralising criminal elements operating in forests and border communities.
He also credited improved collaboration between the military, intelligence agencies, and local communities for helping security forces track criminal movements more effectively.
Government officials have consistently argued that security challenges in Nigeria are deeply connected to broader socio economic issues such as unemployment, poverty, illegal mining, and weak border control.
The Tinubu administration has therefore continued to emphasise economic reforms, youth empowerment programmes, and infrastructure development as part of its long term strategy to address insecurity.
Despite these assurances, opposition politicians and civil society organisations have continued to criticise the government’s handling of security matters, arguing that many Nigerians still feel unsafe in their communities.
Several advocacy groups have urged the Federal Government to invest more heavily in intelligence gathering, community policing, and modern surveillance technology to improve national security operations.
Analysts also believe that stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities will be necessary to tackle the evolving nature of insecurity across the country.
Meanwhile, public reactions to the Defence Minister’s self assessment remain divided.
Supporters of the administration argue that the military has indeed recorded progress against insurgents and armed groups, particularly in parts of the North East where terrorists once operated freely.
Critics, however, insist that ordinary Nigerians are more concerned about their daily safety than official performance ratings. Many believe the true measure of success should be based on whether citizens can travel, farm, attend school, and conduct business without fear.
The security debate is expected to remain a major issue in Nigeria’s political and public discourse as the Tinubu administration enters another year in office.
With insecurity continuing to affect several regions, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the government can deliver stronger results in the coming months.
