President Bola Tinubu convened an urgent meeting with the nation's top security officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The high-stakes gathering was called to address the country's escalating security crisis, marked by a surge in abductions and violent attacks.
Security Shake-Up and Emergency Meeting
The meeting followed closely on the heels of a significant cabinet change. President Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), as the new Minister of Defence. This move came less than 24 hours after the former minister, Mohammed Abubakar, resigned from his position, citing pressing health concerns that required immediate and sustained attention.
The security council meeting aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of Nigeria's security architecture. The discussions were driven by mounting threats, including the disturbing increase in mass kidnappings of schoolchildren and worshippers in states like Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi.
The assembly of security chiefs was led by the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede. Other key figures in attendance included:
- Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu
- Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke
- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas
- Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt-Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye
- Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi
- Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun
Notably, the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, was also present at the Villa. His participation in the security talks remained unclear, as his visit coincided with his recent high-profile engagement with the detained IPOB leader at the Sokoto correctional centre, where he expressed intentions to secure the leader's release.
Wave of Violence Elicits Condemnation and Warnings
As the meeting proceeded, reports of fresh violence emerged from several states, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) strongly condemned the attacks that occurred within a 24-hour period across Imo, Abia, Plateau, and Sokoto states.
The rights group expressed deep concern that the security emergency declared by President Tinubu seemed ineffective without swift and decisive action. HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, called for comprehensive and proactive security measures, urging all state governors and the political authority to support the President in fully implementing the emergency declaration to combat terrorism.
Specific incidents reported include:
- The kidnapping of a busload of passengers travelling from Imo to Aba in Abia State at Ngor Okpala.
- An attack on the advance convoy of Governor Alex Otti en route from Umuahia to Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri. The governor confirmed no casualties.
- Killings in the Chakfem community of Mangu Local Council, Plateau State, where assailants stormed the area around 3:00 a.m., killing at least three people and injuring five others.
- A farming community in Sokoto State being threatened with a N20 million fine, with a deadline to pay or face an attack.
HURIWA, however, commended the swift nomination of General Musa, describing it as a noteworthy and merit-based decision, and tasked the incoming minister to immediately tackle the challenges.
Political Reactions and Speculation of Further Exits
The political dimension of the security discourse also saw developments. The Northern Elders Progressive Group came to the defence of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, dismissing calls for his resignation as politically motivated. The group's coordinator, Yusuf Abubakar, speaking in Sokoto, argued that critics were ignoring the complexity of the security challenges and the gains made under the current administration.
Abubakar credited Matawalle with strengthening joint military operations, modernising defence strategies, and improving inter-agency coordination. He cited the successful rescue of abducted schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, and other breakthroughs against insurgents as evidence of progress.
Meanwhile, the sudden resignation of Mohammed Abubakar has sparked intense speculation about a potential cabinet reshuffle as the administration moves closer to the 2027 election cycle. Analysts suggest his departure, following weeks of reduced public visibility, may be a precursor to more high-level exits from the Federal Executive Council in the coming weeks.
The nation now watches as General Christopher Musa prepares to assume leadership of the defence ministry at a critical juncture, with the dual expectation of stabilising the department and contributing to tangible improvements in national security.
