Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office as the country grapples with rising insecurity.

The resignation was announced in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to Onanuga, Badaru’s decision was conveyed in a letter dated December 1, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which he cited health reasons for stepping down.

President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s contributions to national security. The President is expected to notify the Senate of a new ministerial nominee later this week.

Badaru, 63, served as Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 and was appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.

His resignation comes at a time President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, with further details expected to follow.