The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to relieve the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, of his duties due to escalating insecurity across Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Mr. Israel Uwejeyan, the group expressed deep concern over recent security breaches, including the overrunning of military bases in Borno State by insurgents, which reportedly led to the loss of 40 tanks and military platforms. The NDYC described these incidents as clear indicators of a failing national defense strategy.
The NDYC accused the Defence Minister of prioritizing personal and political interests over his constitutional duty to safeguard Nigerian lives. According to the group, defense contracts are allegedly being awarded based on political alignment rather than merit, resulting in poor equipment and intelligence failures.
“This mismanagement has left the military vulnerable and compromised national security,” the statement read.
The group criticized the Ministry’s dismissive response to concerns raised by communities directly affected by insurgent activities, describing it as disconnected from the harsh realities on the ground.
The NDYC urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by removing the current Defence Minister and appointing a capable leader to reassess the Ministry’s operational strategies and restore accountability.
The group emphasized that protecting Nigerian lives must take precedence over political considerations and called for a change in leadership to rebuild public confidence in the nation’s defense.
“Recent reports have highlighted alarming incidents, including the overrunning of military bases in Borno State by insurgents, resulting in the loss of 40 tanks and military platforms. These shocking developments underscore a significant failure in our national defense strategy and raise serious questions about the current leadership’s ability to effectively safeguard the nation,” the statement added.
The NDYC further noted concerns raised by lawmakers, who claimed that terrorists are reportedly better equipped than the Nigerian military, a situation the Defence Ministry has denied. However, the group argued that the lived experiences of affected communities tell a different story—one that demands urgent attention and strategic change.
