Minister of Defence Christopher Musa says terrorism has reduced significantly in Nigeria, rating national security progress at 65–70% amid ongoing kidnapping and insecurity concerns.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has sparked nationwide discussion after declaring that terrorism levels in the country have dropped significantly, placing Nigeria’s overall security performance at 65 to 70 percent.
Speaking during a televised interview on Arise Television, the Minister of Defence said the country is making steady progress in its fight against insecurity, even though pockets of kidnapping and violent crime continue to exist in some regions.
He noted that no country in the world is completely free from crime, but insisted that Nigeria has recorded “clear improvements” in recent years due to sustained military operations and intelligence-driven security strategies.
“We are making progress” — Minister of Defence speaks
According to the Minister of Defence, the combined efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies have led to a noticeable reduction in large-scale terrorist activities compared to previous years.
He stressed that security operations across different parts of the country have disrupted several criminal networks, forcing many insurgents and armed groups to lose control of previously occupied areas.
However, he acknowledged that insecurity has not been fully eliminated.
Kidnapping, family breakdown, and rising social concerns
The Minister of Defence also linked the persistence of kidnapping and violent crime to deeper societal issues, warning that Nigeria is facing not only a security challenge but also a moral and social crisis.
He pointed to what he described as a breakdown in family values, saying disturbing cases of relatives engaging in criminal acts reflect deeper problems in society.
According to him, incidents involving family members kidnapping one another highlight the urgent need to rebuild moral discipline, strengthen parenting systems, and improve education.
He further warned that the growing obsession with “quick money” is driving many young people into crime, especially kidnapping and ransom-related activities.
“Fast money mentality fueling crime”
The Minister of Defence said many individuals involved in kidnapping are motivated by the desire to make money quickly rather than engage in honest labour.
He urged young Nigerians to embrace patience, discipline, and hard work, warning that shortcuts to wealth often lead to destruction and long-term consequences.
Political dimension of insecurity
Christopher Musa also raised concerns that some criminal activities may have political undertones, suggesting that certain kidnappings appear designed to create fear and weaken public confidence in government institutions.
He questioned the logic behind demanding extremely high ransom payments from victims who clearly lack the financial capacity to meet such demands, describing such cases as suspicious and potentially strategic.
Security agencies intensify operations
Despite the challenges, the Minister of Defence reassured Nigerians that the armed forces and security agencies remain fully committed to restoring peace across the country.
He praised ongoing military operations, intelligence collaboration, and joint security efforts, noting that these strategies have continued to yield positive results.
He also commended Nigerians for increasing their cooperation with security agencies through timely information sharing, describing it as a major factor in recent operational successes.
Nigeria’s security battle continues
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a serious national concern, the Minister of Defence maintained that Nigeria is gradually moving in the right direction.
He emphasized that sustained collaboration between citizens and security institutions will be key to achieving long-term peace and stability.
According to him, the country is not yet where it needs to be, but “clear progress is being made” in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
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