The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday highlighted that incidents of security breaches across Nigeria have significantly decreased by an estimated 65%.
According to The PUNCH, while speaking on the nation’s security situation, the minister emphasized that terrorism and banditry are now under control, and the Armed Forces are committed to ensuring that breaches become almost negligible.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ibrahim Kana, the minister shared this during a press briefing in Abuja, which marked the beginning of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
He commended the relentless efforts of the military, stating: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria have risen to these challenges irrespective of the costs paid by our troops. For this reason, we now have a situation that is under control. When bandits and criminals formulate new techniques and establish new bases when dislodged, the Armed Forces have continued to adopt new strategies and switch up their tactics to take the battle to their doorsteps.”
The efforts of the military, according to the minister, have been fruitful, contributing to a significant reduction in security breaches.
“Thanks to the renewed vigour,” he noted, “incidents of security breaches have been reduced by an estimated 65% across the country, and the Armed Forces will continue until the nation achieves an insignificant level of breaches on its security.”
Despite this progress, Abubakar lamented the toll the fight against banditry and terrorism has had on the country’s resources. He particularly noted that designating bandits as terrorists has not entirely aided the fight.
Reflecting on the challenges, he stated, “Our dear nation, Nigeria, has been bedevilled by serious internal security concerns for over a decade. These challenges have stretched the resources of our nation and the Armed Forces to restore normalcy.”
The issue of terrorism, according to Abubakar, initially stemmed from insurgency in the North East, but newer threats such as banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnappings have since plagued the North West and North Central regions.
“The earlier classification of this brand of terror as banditry did not help the cause of its eradication. However, as far as we are concerned, today the bandits are terrorists/insurgents,” the Minister stated.
To enhance the security of Nigeria’s borders, particularly with the Niger Republic, the minister disclosed that under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, the military has successfully re-engaged Niger in the Multinational Joint Task Force.
This development is expected to improve the effectiveness of the task force in managing border security and regional cooperation.
“In consolidating efforts to end the insurgency, the Nigerian Armed Forces led by the Chief of Defence Staff has recently got the Republic of Niger back into the MNJTF,” the minister affirmed. “This will no doubt help in securing our very extensive border with that country as well as contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Joint Task Force.”
Furthermore, the government, through the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, and related agencies, remains committed to de-radicalizing and rehabilitating repentant insurgents.
Despite public resistance, the minister called for greater cooperation from citizens, stating, “We, therefore, continue to call for cooperation from our citizens who are rightly aggrieved by the past deeds of these repentant insurgents. We all have to realise and appreciate the need to quickly end this war to usher in an era of peace and mutual coexistence for the development of our beloved fatherland.”
In his concluding remarks, the minister reassured the public of the government’s ongoing dedication to prioritizing the welfare, training, and equipment of the troops, with a focus on intelligence-driven strategies and stronger alliances with West African neighbours to stay ahead of evolving threats. He expressed optimism that with these proactive measures, Nigeria would secure lasting peace and stability.
