A Nigerian civil society organisation, Ethics Vanguard, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, accusing him of failing to tackle the country’s worsening security crisis.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the group’s Executive Director, Amina Mohammed, described the minister’s performance as “grossly incompetent” and “unacceptable,” citing a surge in deadly attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and armed groups across several states.
“The scale and intensity of attacks across Nigeria under Mohammed Badaru Abubakar’s tenure are not only frightening but also unacceptable,” the statement read.
Ethics Vanguard said citizens in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Benue, Zamfara, Sokoto, and even parts of the Federal Capital Territory have been victims of brutal violence, with no visible strategic response from the Defence Ministry.
The group also praised a federal lawmaker, Hon. Solomon Maren, for speaking out on what it described as the Ministry’s lack of action and called on the National Assembly to consider a vote of no confidence in the minister.
Ethics Vanguard argued that Badaru’s appointment was based on political considerations rather than experience in security affairs, making him unfit to manage the country’s defence challenges.
“Nigeria is at war. The country needs leaders with tactical acumen, operational discipline, and the empathy of public servants — not ceremonial politicians,” the group said.
It also criticised the Defence Minister’s silence following recent killings in Plateau State, where over 200 people reportedly lost their lives.
The group further accused the Ministry of failing to ensure transparency, referring to reports that military equipment worth trillions of naira may have ended up in the hands of insurgents.
Ethics Vanguard warned that if the minister is not removed within 14 working days, it would mobilise over 120 civil society groups to stage nationwide protests targeting key government institutions, including the Ministry of Defence and the National Assembly.
The group concluded by urging the government to prioritise the safety of its citizens over political loyalty.