Northern groups have called for the resignation of the minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, over what they described as his failure to address insecurity in the North.
The North-West Alliance for Security (NWAS) and the North-East Youth Revival Movement (NEYM), in separate statements issued Tuesday, decried the increasing spate of killings, displacement, and destruction in their respective zones, blaming the federal government’s inability to contain the crises on weak leadership at the helm of the defence ministry.
NWAS, in a statement signed by its chairman, Musa Zakaria, lamented the continued operations of armed bandits in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, saying the region had become a hotbed of lawlessness, with an estimated 30,000 bandits spread across 100 gangs.
“The persistent failures of the Minister of Defence to effectively address these challenges leave us with no option but to call for his immediate resignation,” the group said.
It said the North-West was suffering from violent attacks linked to radicalised bandit groups that now operate with jihadist factions, blurring the lines between criminality and terrorism.
“Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and the economy crippled. Our traditional systems of dispute resolution have collapsed, creating a vacuum now filled by terror and fear,” the group added.
In a separate statement, NEYM called for Badaru’s removal over last week’s deadly Boko Haram attack on a military base in Marte, Borno State, which left five soldiers dead and several military assets looted.
The statement signed by its chairman, Abbarious Lawal, NEYM said the incident exposed deep-rooted weaknesses in Nigeria’s military structure, citing low morale, desertion, and poor strategic coordination.
“The attack highlights a critical crisis of confidence within our armed forces. Our soldiers are often left without adequate training, equipment, or support,” the group said.
It added that the assault forced residents of nearby communities to flee to Dikwa, Mafa, and Lukumani, further worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Quoting data from SBM Intelligence, the group said over 2,000 people were killed in violent incidents between January and March 2025, with Borno State accounting for the highest number of casualties.
Both groups said the minister of Defence had ample time to demonstrate leadership but failed, adding that excuses would no longer suffice in the face of national tragedy.
“The time has come for decisive action. Minister Badaru’s resignation is not just symbolic—it is necessary. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace him with someone capable of confronting the security crisis head-on,” they stated.
They urged civil society groups, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to join their call for urgent reforms and accountability in the country’s defence sector.