A civil society group, the North West Development Vanguard (NWDV), has passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, citing worsening insecurity in Nigeria and calling for his immediate dismissal.
In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by the group’s President, Comrade Aminu Sani, and Secretary, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, the NWDV accused the minister of gross incompetence and political opportunism, particularly in light of recent deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states.
“The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has failed in his primary responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians,” the group stated. “His continued stay in office is a threat to national security and a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian people.”
The Vanguard referenced multiple attacks in Benue and Plateau states, where armed assailants, reportedly in the hundreds, have unleashed violence on local communities. In Benue State, at least 50 people were reported killed in separate attacks on Katsina-Ala and Logo local government areas. Reports suggest that over 300 armed men, suspected to be foreign militias, were involved in the assaults.
Similarly, Plateau State has witnessed a series of violent incursions, with more than 100 people reportedly killed across Mangu and Bokkos local government areas.
“These attacks are not isolated incidents,” the statement noted, “but part of a broader pattern of insecurity that the Minister of Defence has consistently failed to address. His lack of proactive measures and failure to coordinate an effective response have emboldened these criminal elements.”
The group further accused the minister of neglecting his constitutional responsibilities in favour of political pursuits.
“Instead of focusing on his duties, the Minister is busy engaging in political activities aimed at positioning himself for the 2027 presidential elections. This is a clear indication that he is more interested in power than in the safety and well-being of Nigerians,” the statement alleged.
The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by removing the minister from office.
“The President must act decisively to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens. Sacking the Minister of Defence is a necessary step towards demonstrating that incompetence and negligence will not be tolerated under his watch,” the group declared.
Beyond calling for the minister’s removal, the NWDV advocated a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture. It stressed the need for improved intelligence gathering, enhanced funding for security agencies, and greater collaboration among stakeholders.
“There is an urgent need to reassess and restructure our security apparatus to ensure a more effective response to the challenges we face,” the group said.
The NWDV also called on civil society groups, religious leaders, and the international community to lend their voices to the demand for improved security measures across Nigeria.
“The fight against insecurity is a collective responsibility,” it said. “We must all work together to ensure that our communities are safe and that those responsible for protecting us are held accountable.”
The group warned that unless decisive action is taken, continued bloodshed could further erode public trust in government and plunge affected communities deeper into despair.
