Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has triggered widespread criticism after rating the security performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration at between 65 and 70 percent, despite ongoing insecurity challenges across the country.
The minister made the statement during an interview on ARISE News, where he argued that the government had recorded notable improvements in its fight against terrorism and insurgency over the past three years.
He maintained that the overall security situation had improved compared to previous years, insisting that no country is completely free from crime and insecurity.
However, his remarks sparked immediate backlash from Nigerians on social media, with many questioning the rating amid continued cases of kidnappings, killings, and armed attacks in several states, including Borno, Kebbi, Plateau, and Oyo.
Critics argued that the assessment did not reflect the daily reality faced by citizens, particularly in communities still affected by violent attacks and ransom-driven kidnappings. Some commentators accused the government of self-praise despite persistent security failures.
Human rights activists and public commentators also weighed in, saying the rating was disconnected from ground realities, especially in areas where school abductions and rural attacks remain frequent.
Despite the criticism, supporters of the administration defended the minister’s position, insisting that security forces have made measurable gains against terrorist groups, particularly in the North-East, where several operations have reportedly weakened insurgent networks.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama noted that extremist groups had lost territory and key commanders through sustained military pressure, while former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode said security agencies were operating under extremely difficult conditions.
The Defence Minister also defended his assessment, stating that Nigeria’s security challenges are deeply rooted in social and economic issues, including rising cases of crime within local communities. He added that intelligence gathering has become more difficult due to the involvement of individuals within families and communities in kidnapping activities.
He further disclosed that Nigerian forces recently carried out a covert operation that eliminated a senior ISIS-linked commander, and noted that international partners including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and Turkey are supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
The debate has reignited national discussion over the state of security in Nigeria, with citizens and analysts divided over whether the country is making progress or facing worsening insecurity.
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