General Christopher Gwabin Musa

Stories

Nigeria’s northern security crisis pulls in France and a hardline U.S.

As of May 2026: Nominated to lead the Defence Ministry amid a security emergency and U.S. scrutiny

Since March 2025, jihadist attacks, mass kidnappings, and farmer-herder violence have swept across northern and central Nigeria. A February 4, 2026, jihadist massacre in Kwara State alone killed over 160 people. Major incidents include a US-Nigeria airstrike on December 25, 2025, targeting Islamic State militants; Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks killing dozens of soldiers in January 2026; and partial rescues amid ongoing banditry.

Updated May 10