Defence Minister Christopher Musa Denies Resignation Rumours, Vows Legal Action

• Defence Minister Christopher Musa has dismissed reports claiming he resigned from office, describing them as false and malicious.

• He vowed to take legal action against those behind the rumours, insisting he remains focused on strengthening Nigeria’s security.

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has dismissed reports claiming he resigned from office, describing them as false and warning that those responsible will face legal action.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Musa said he was “shocked” by the reports and had never discussed resigning from his position.

“I am not going anywhere. I have never discussed this. I don’t even know who the person is that brought that information.

“But whoever it is, we will take legal action against them,” he said.

The Defence Minister, who arrived at the Presidential Villa around 3 p.m. and left after 4 p.m., insisted the reports were fabricated by individuals unhappy with the government’s recent security achievements.

“Whoever it is, we will take legal action against them. I am sure we will get them.

“He will come and explain who gave him such information,” Musa stated.

He added that the rumours were a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the administration’s efforts to improve security across the country.

“We are surprised. I was shocked when I saw that. I don’t know where that came from.

“But you always expect that there will be people who will not be happy when things are going well.

“Security is improving, things are getting better, and for them, that is a sad point. They always want to make it look as if it is not so,” he said.

According to Musa, his meeting with President Tinubu was a routine security briefing during which the President expressed satisfaction with the military’s ongoing operations.

“I just came back from briefing Mr President on the current security situation, and he is very happy with us. We are going to continue doing well,” he said.

The minister also thanked Nigerians for their continued support in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to achieving lasting peace.

“I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for all the support.

“The support has been massive. To defeat the terrorists and the bandits is a whole-of-society approach. Nigerians have keyed into it, and things are getting better, and they will continue to improve.”

President Tinubu appointed Musa as Minister of Defence in December 2025 after he previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff from July 2023.