Nigeria security challenges and ministerial accountability

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) issued a 14-day ultimatum to Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, demanding his resignation if security in Sokoto State does not improve. The group cited a failure to end killings, noting that at least 43 people and an Imam were killed within a three-week period, alongside 19 kidnappings.

In response, General Musa defended the military’s counter-terrorism efforts, asserting that progress has been made against groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He noted that while insurgent attacks have become less frequent, criminal activities like kidnapping have evolved into a more prominent threat. Musa identified the vastness of the Sambisa Forest as a major operational obstacle, comparing its scale to the size of Belgium.

Recent reports indicate renewed clashes between rival Boko Haram and ISWAP factions in the Sambisa Forest, specifically around the Chingolo axis in Borno State, resulting in over 23 fighter deaths due to competition over territory and resources.

General Musa reiterated that while the military is making progress against conventional terrorism, the security landscape has shifted toward widespread abductions. He explained that security forces are utilizing strategies to block escape routes and cut off essential supplies—such as food, water, and fuel—to force terrorists to abandon captives. Recent nationwide operations in Borno, Yobe, and Katsina states have reportedly resulted in the rescue of dozens of kidnap victims and the neutralization of several criminal elements.