APM Fires Back at Defence Minister, Says Terrorism Not Yet Defeated in Nigeria

APM Defence Minister Insecurity Debate Escalates as Party Rejects Government Claims

The Alliance for Progress and Movement (APM) has directly challenged Nigeria’s defence minister over statements suggesting that the country is making significant progress against terrorism. In a sharply worded response, the party insisted that terrorism has not been defeated and that the government’s portrayal of improved security is misleading. The APM defence minister insecurity debate has now become a central point of contention in Nigerian political discourse as the 2026 security landscape remains deeply concerning for many citizens.

The party’s rebuttal came after the defence minister publicly stated that security operations were yielding positive results and that terrorist activities were being contained across affected regions. APM dismissed these claims as disconnected from the reality on the ground, arguing that ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of persistent insurgency, banditry, and communal violence. The party called for greater transparency in how security data is being reported and urged the government to acknowledge the severity of the ongoing crisis.

2026 Global Terrorism Index Ranking Underpins APM’s Challenge

Central to APM’s argument is the 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which the party cited as evidence that Nigeria’s security situation has worsened rather than improved. According to the index, Nigeria rose from sixth place in the 2025 GTI to fourth place among the world’s most terrorism-affected countries. This significant jump in the rankings paints a stark picture and directly contradicts the optimistic narrative being pushed by the defence ministry.

The GTI is compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace and measures the impact of terrorism across nations using indicators such as the number of incidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage. A rise in Nigeria’s ranking suggests that the intensity and frequency of terrorist attacks have increased, or that the overall impact of terrorism on Nigerian society has grown more severe. For APM, this data is not just a statistical footnote — it is a indictment of the government’s security strategy.

The party argued that relying on selective reporting or anecdotal success stories from specific military operations does not reflect the broader reality faced by communities in the Northeast, Northwest, and other affected regions. APM called on the defence minister to engage honestly with the GTI findings rather than dismiss them or attempt to reframe the narrative. The index, the party noted, is an internationally recognised benchmark that cannot be easily dismissed or manipulated.

What the Defence Minister Claimed and Why APM Disagrees

The defence minister’s original remarks appear to have centred on the notion that Nigeria’s security architecture is functioning effectively and that terrorist groups are being pushed back. Such claims are not uncommon in official communications, where progress is often highlighted to maintain public confidence and international credibility. However, APM argued that these claims lack empirical backing when measured against independent data sources like the GTI.

APM pointed out that while certain military operations may have achieved tactical successes — such as the recapture of specific territories or the disruption of command structures — these gains have not translated into a measurable decline in overall terrorism. The party suggested that the government is conflating isolated military victories with a broader defeat of terrorism, a distinction that matters greatly for policy and public perception.

The party also raised concerns about the human cost of the conflict, noting that civilian casualties, displacement, and economic disruption continue at alarming levels. For APM, a honest assessment of the security situation must account for these realities rather than presenting a sanitised version of events. The defence minister’s claims, in the party’s view, risk creating a false sense of security while millions of Nigerians remain vulnerable to attacks.

Understanding Nigeria’s Position on the 2026 GTI

Nigeria’s rise to fourth place on the 2026 Global Terrorism Index is a significant development that warrants careful examination. The country has long been among the most terrorism-affected nations in the world, but climbing from sixth to fourth represents a deterioration rather than an improvement. This shift places Nigeria alongside other countries that continue to grapple with entrenched terrorist threats.

The GTI rankings are influenced by multiple factors, including the number of terrorist incidents, the lethality of attacks, and the broader socioeconomic impact on affected populations. Nigeria’s position suggests that terrorist groups remain active and capable of carrying out devastating operations, despite years of military engagement and international support. The data underscores the complexity of the security challenge and the limitations of purely military approaches.

For analysts and policymakers, the GTI serves as a crucial reality check. It highlights the gap between official pronouncements and the lived experience of citizens in conflict-affected areas. The index also draws attention to the need for holistic strategies that address root causes such as poverty, governance deficits, and social marginalisation — factors that often fuel radicalisation and sustain insurgency over time.

Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Security Policy

The APM defence minister insecurity exchange raises important questions about Nigeria’s approach to counterterrorism and national security. At the heart of the debate is whether the current strategy is adequate for the scale and nature of the threat. APM’s insistence that terrorism is not defeated reflects a broader scepticism about the government’s capacity to deliver lasting security solutions.

This scepticism is not unfounded. Despite significant military expenditure and international cooperation, Nigeria has struggled to contain terrorist networks that have proven resilient and adaptive. The groups involved have shifted tactics, expanded their operational areas, and exploited governance gaps in ways that military force alone cannot address. APM’s critique, therefore, touches on a genuine strategic dilemma facing Nigerian policymakers.

The party called for a comprehensive review of security policy, emphasising the need for greater investment in intelligence gathering, community engagement, and socioeconomic development in vulnerable regions. APM argued that sustainable security cannot be achieved through force alone and that addressing the underlying drivers of conflict is essential for long-term stability. These proposals, while not new, carry renewed urgency given the GTI data.

Political Context and Public Reaction

The timing of APM’s challenge is significant, as Nigeria enters a period of heightened political activity and public scrutiny of governance performance. Citizens across the country, particularly in the North, have grown increasingly frustrated with the persistent security crisis and the perceived inadequacy of government responses. The APM defence minister insecurity row has resonated with many Nigerians who feel that official narratives do not match their daily realities.

Social media and public discourse have reflected a mix of support for APM’s stance and scepticism about the party’s own capacity to govern. Some Nigerians view the challenge as a welcome dose of honesty, while others question whether political parties are offering viable alternatives or merely capitalising on public anxiety. The debate underscores the deep disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens on matters of security and governance.

The defence minister, for his part, has yet to issue a detailed public response to APM’s allegations. Government communications have generally stuck to the line that security operations are progressing and that notable successes have been recorded. However, the GTI data presents a challenge to this narrative that cannot be easily brushed aside, particularly as international partners and donors increasingly scrutinise Nigeria’s security performance.

What Lies Ahead for Nigeria’s Security in 2026 and Beyond

As Nigeria moves through the remainder of 2026, the security outlook remains uncertain. The GTI ranking serves as a warning that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat and that complacency could prove dangerous. APM’s challenge to the defence minister is unlikely to be the last such confrontation, as citizens and political actors demand greater accountability and honesty from those responsible for national security.

The government faces a difficult balancing act: maintaining public confidence while acknowledging the severity of the challenge, pursuing military operations while investing in long-term solutions, and engaging with international partners while asserting sovereignty over security policy. Navigating these tensions will require political will, strategic clarity, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about the state of the nation’s security.

For now, the APM defence minister insecurity debate has opened a necessary conversation about the gap between official claims and empirical reality. Whether this conversation translates into meaningful policy change remains to be seen, but the GTI data ensures that the issue will not disappear from public attention. Nigerians deserve honesty about their security situation, and independent indices like the GTI provide an essential benchmark for measuring progress — or the lack of it.

Source

This article is based on reporting from Premium Times Nigeria. For the original story, visit the source: APM tackles defence minister over claim on insecurity, says terrorism not defeated — Premium Times Nigeria

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026 Global Terrorism Index?

The 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) is an annual report produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace that ranks countries based on the impact of terrorism. It uses indicators such as the number of incidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage to assess how severely each country is affected. Nigeria’s rise to fourth place in the 2026 index indicates a worsening terrorism impact compared to the previous year.

Why did APM challenge the defence minister?

APM challenged the defence minister because the minister claimed that Nigeria was making significant progress against terrorism, while APM argued that the 2026 GTI data shows the opposite — that Nigeria’s ranking worsened, moving from sixth to fourth among the most terrorism-affected countries. The party viewed the minister’s claims as misleading and disconnected from the reality on the ground.

What does Nigeria’s GTI ranking mean for citizens?

Nigeria’s fourth-place ranking on the 2026 GTI means that terrorism continues to have a severe impact on the country and its citizens. It reflects ongoing violence, displacement, economic disruption, and loss of life in affected regions. The ranking serves as a reminder that the security crisis is far from resolved and that urgent, honest policy action is needed.

Has the defence minister responded to APM’s challenge?

As of the latest available reporting, the defence minister has not issued a detailed public response to APM’s allegations. Government communications have continued to emphasise progress in security operations, but the GTI data presents a challenge to this narrative that requires substantive engagement rather than dismissal.

What solutions is APM proposing for Nigeria’s security crisis?

APM has called for a comprehensive review of security policy, greater investment in intelligence and community engagement, and addressing the root causes of conflict such as poverty and governance deficits. The party argues that sustainable security requires a holistic approach that goes beyond military operations alone.

Related Reading

• Makinde Warns Oyo Monarchs Against Partisan Politics Ahead of 2027 Polls
• Oyo SDP Governorship Crisis Deepens as Candidate Heads to Court
• Oyo Governor Makinde Urges Traditional Rulers to Shun Partisan Politics