Morganable news/Security&Justice
The rumours, which circulated widely on social media and some online platforms, had suggested that Musa had stepped down from his position amid ongoing security challenges across the country.
kaNo —
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, on Tuesday dismissed reports of his alleged resignation as false, vowing to take legal action against those responsible for spreading what he described as baseless claims.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Musa said he was “shocked” by the reports and insisted that he had neither resigned nor discussed stepping down from office.
“I am not going anywhere. I have never discussed this. I don’t even know who the person is that brought that information,” he said
The minister, who arrived at the Aso Rock Villa around 3pm and left after 4pm, stated that the meeting with the President was part of routine engagements and not connected to any resignation issue.
The rumours, which circulated widely on social media and some online platforms, had suggested that Musa had stepped down from his position amid ongoing security challenges across the country.
Rumours Peddlers Dissatisfied With Improved Security Conditions
However, the minister dismissed the claims as the handiwork of individuals dissatisfied with what he described as improving security conditions.
“You always expect that there will be people who will not be happy when things are going well,” he said. “Security is improving, things are getting better, and for them, that is a sad point. They always want to make it look as if it is not so.”
Musa further disclosed that his discussion with the President focused on the current security situation in the country, noting that Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the military’s performance.
“I just came back from briefing Mr President on the current security situation, and he is very happy with us. We are going to continue doing well,” he said.
Gen Musa Calls For Sustained Support From Citizens
“I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for all the support. The support has been massive,” he said. “To defeat the terrorists and the bandits is a whole-of-society approach. Nigerians have keyed into it, and things are getting better, and they will continue to improve.”he stated
Musa was appointed Defence Minister in December 2025, following his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, a position he held from July 2023.
His appointment came at a time when Nigeria faced heightened security concerns, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and kidnapping across several regions.
Police arrest 1,198 suspects, rescue 166 kidnap victims -IGP
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed that nationwide anti-crime operations conducted between June 9 and June 21, 2026, led to the arrest of 1,198 suspects across the country.
According to him, the arrests cut across a wide range of offences, reflecting the scale and complexity of criminal activities being tackled by the police.
“Since 9th June 2026, anti-crime operations across the Federation have led to the arrest of 1,198 suspects for various offences,” the police chief said.
He provided a breakdown of the arrests, noting that 151 suspects were apprehended for murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, and 104 suspected cultists.
Additionally, 169 individuals were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms.
“Our operations also led to the rescue of 166 kidnap victims,” Disu said. “We recovered 166 assorted firearms and 1,475 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, along with 47 stolen vehicles.”he said
He emphasised that the successes recorded were a testament to the dedication and bravery of police personnel, many of whom operate under challenging and often dangerous conditions.
“Behind every one of these numbers are police officers who went out, did their jobs properly, and in many cases put themselves at real risk to protect others,” he added
Highlighting specific operations, the Inspector-General pointed to the successful rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a notable example of effective collaboration among security agencies.
“The successful rescue of the abducted students and teachers in Oyo State deserves particular mention,” he said. “It is a clear example of what we can achieve when Nigeria’s security agencies work together with a genuine sense of common purpose.”
Disu explained that the operation succeeded due to close coordination between the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and members of the public who provided timely information.
“Careful planning, honest inter-agency cooperation and good intelligence work brought those victims home safely,” he added.
Despite the progress recorded, the police chief cautioned against complacency, urging officers to remain vigilant and committed to improving operational standards.
“A win like this should sharpen our resolve, not soften it,” he warned. “We cannot let a success like Oyo breed complacency. Every achievement should push us to improve further, not to relax.”
Disu also addressed the evolving nature of security threats in the country, noting that criminal activities such as terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, cult violence, and cybercrime continue to adapt, requiring a more dynamic response from law enforcement agencies.
“Nigeria’s security environment remains demanding,” he said. “We have recorded real successes in recent months, but these threats continue to evolve, and we have to evolve faster than they do.”
He directed Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to adopt intelligence-driven strategies tailored to the specific challenges within their jurisdictions, rather than relying on routine deployments.
“Every deployment should be guided by credible intelligence and a sound assessment of the threat, not habit or routine,” he said.
The Inspector-General further stressed that the effectiveness of police operations would be measured by outcomes rather than the number of activities conducted.
“I want to be clear about what success looks like,” he said. “It is not the number of operations we run. It is the security outcomes those operations produce.”
He also instructed all police commands to conduct post-operation reviews to identify lessons and improve future responses.
“An institution that keeps learning stays effective,” he added.
“Lasting security depends on genuine partnership between the police and the communities we serve,” he said. “I encourage every Nigerian to stay alert and to keep reporting suspicious activity. Every piece of information matters. If you see something, say something.”
The combined assurances from the Defence Ministry and the Police leadership come amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to address security challenges and strengthen public confidence in the nation’s safety architecture.
