The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, on Friday rated the President Bola Tinubu administration 70 per cent on national security, despite widespread school abductions in the past three years. 

Mr Musa made the claim in an interview with Arise TV on Friday when asked to assess Mr Tinubu’s performance on security over the past three years of his leadership. 

“I will give our government 65-70 per cent, because nation is totally free of crimes and criminality. The level of terrorism has drastically reduced. Now we have acts of terrorism. Terrorism a social vice as a result of failure of family values,” he said

Based on Nigeria’s academic grading system, 70 per cent is considered an excellent score.

The Defence minister also highlighted hunger for quick wealth among factors fueling banditry and kidnapping, adding that, “You cannot rule out politics. Act of sabotage to make the govrnement look weak and ungovernable.”

Mr Musa’s statement comes as the Peoples Gazette reported that nearly 600 students have been kidnapped in various coordinated attacks on schools by bandits and terrorist groups in the past three years.

Per reported cases of school abductions, since May 29, 2023, The Gazette’s checks showed that 597 schoolchildren and students have been abducted under Mr Tinubu’s watch. 

The report shows that an average of 199 students were abducted every year since Mr Tinubu assumed office

 In his speech to mark his third year in office, Mr Tinubu admitted that insecurity remained a major challenge, saying that his government was determined to tackle the menace.

“Security remains central to our national mission and to the creation of a virile and prosperous society. Our armed forces and security agencies have intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and criminal networks. While challenges remain, many communities and highways are becoming safer and more economically active,” Mr Tinubu said.