Nigeria’s defence minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned with immediate effect on health grounds, the presidency announced on Monday, as the country struggles with a deepening security crisis marked by mass kidnappings. His departure follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a “nationwide security emergency” after hundreds, mainly schoolchildren, were abducted in a series of raids last month.
The crisis has drawn international attention, with Washington’s recent criticism further spotlighting insecurity. Armed gangs seized more than 300 staff and teachers from St Mary’s school in Niger state, many still in captivity. Nigeria continues to battle both ransom-driven criminal groups and a long-running jihadist insurgency.