By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A coalition of northern youth organisations has thrown its weight behind the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), describing calls for his removal as misplaced and detrimental to the nation’s collective security efforts.
The Northern Nigeria United Youths for Peace and Progress, at a well-attended press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, urged Nigerians to resist what it termed “divisive rhetoric” and instead rally behind security agencies confronting the country’s multifaceted security challenges.
Addressing journalists at the Epitome Events Centre in Barnawa, the group’s Convener, Edward Auta, alongside Malam Idris Mohammed, expressed grave concern over a viral video circulating on social media platforms. In the footage, a political activist launched a scathing attack on the country’s security leadership, specifically calling for the Defence Minister’s removal over persistent insecurity in various parts of the nation.
The video has since ignited intense debate across online communities, with commentators and political factions voicing divergent opinions on the performance of security institutions and the government’s overall strategy in tackling terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Auta maintained that while constructive criticism remains a cornerstone of democratic governance, the timing and tenor of the current attacks on the Defence Minister were unhelpful, particularly at a moment when the nation grapples with complex security threats requiring unity of purpose.
“We stand firmly with the Minister of Defence and the entire security architecture of this country,” Auta declared. “What we are witnessing is an attempt by certain individuals to score cheap political points at the expense of national security. This we reject in its entirety.”
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, the Federal Government has implemented far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s security architecture and enhancing inter-agency coordination, the group noted. The Defence Minister, who previously served as Chief of Defence Staff, has remained central to these efforts, bringing decades of military experience to bear on the country’s security challenges.
Mohammed emphasised that security sector reforms require time, consistency and sustained political will to yield tangible results. He cautioned against unrealistic expectations and the tendency to blame individual officials for challenges deeply rooted in years of neglect, inadequate funding and complex socio-political dynamics.
“General Musa has demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordinating the armed forces and other security agencies,” Mohammed told journalists. “We cannot afford to destabilise our security architecture at a time when our gallant troops are making significant sacrifices in the battlefields of the North East, North West and other troubled regions.”
The coalition warned against what it described as the increasing politicisation of security matters by individuals and groups pursuing personal or partisan interests. Such tendencies, according to the youths, risk undermining public confidence in ongoing government efforts and demoralising security personnel who daily risk their lives in service to the nation.
“We must draw a clear line between constructive engagement and destructive criticism,” Mohammed added. “When comments are designed to demoralise those on the frontlines or create divisions among the populace, they cease to be patriotic and become inimical to national interest.”
The group called on public figures, opinion leaders and social media influencers to ensure that national conversations on security remain focused on solutions and the collective good of the country. They urged Nigerians to avoid statements or actions capable of deepening ethnic, religious or regional divisions at a critical time when unity and cooperation are most needed.
Beyond rhetorical support, the coalition also called on citizens to actively support security agencies by remaining vigilant and providing credible, timely information that could assist in preventing and tackling criminal activities within their communities. Community cooperation, the group stressed, remains an indispensable component in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other emerging security threats.
“No government anywhere in the world can succeed in securing its citizens without the active cooperation of the governed,” Auta observed. “We must move beyond the mentality of leaving everything to government. Security is everybody’s business.”
The youth coalition reaffirmed its support for the Tinubu administration, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms within the defence sector would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s security framework and enhance the capacity of security forces to respond proactively to evolving threats.
They acknowledged that sustainable peace would require collective commitment from government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, community leaders and citizens across all regions. The fight against insecurity, they maintained, transcends partisan, ethnic or religious considerations and must be approached as a shared national project.
“Addressing insecurity is a shared responsibility. We must work together as a nation to defeat those who threaten our peace and stability,” the group added, calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the Defence Minister and other security chiefs in their arduous task of safeguarding the nation.
The press conference concluded with a vote of confidence in the leadership of the armed forces and a renewed call for national unity in the face of security challenges threatening the fabric of Nigerian society.
