Nigerian Defence Minister resigns in midst of mass kidnapping

Nigerian Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has resigned due to “health reasons”, in the midst of the kidnapping crisis, reports BBC on 2nd December. Abubakar, who had been in office since August 2023, sent a letter to President Tinubu to inform him; his resignation was accepted.

Nigeria is currently is a state of national emergency due to mass kidnappings across the country, often targeting schools. 300 children were kidnapped last month from a Catholic school, and parents remain without news.

It remains unclear who is behind the attacks, with the Nigerian government blaming jihadists, while monitoring groups point the finger at Fulani militias.

BBC, Maghrebi.org