BREAKING: Nigeria’s Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar Resigns Amid Security Emergency

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, citing health reasons, marking a significant shake-up in the nation’s security leadership.

His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu. In the letter, Abubakar explained that his health could no longer sustain the demands of the position.

President Tinubu accepted the resignation and thanked him for his service, while sources within the Presidency indicated that the Senate will be notified of his replacement later this week.

Abubakar, 63, previously served two terms as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before being appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.

His departure comes at a critical moment, as President Tinubu recently declared a national security emergency and is expected to outline its full scope in the coming days, adding weight to the search for a new defence chief.