Trump bombs, Tinubu travels, and as usual, Musa disappears

The story of 2025 cannot be told without Nigeria’s security challenges, and it looks like terrorist activities will only bring more sorrows in the coming year.

It was Trump’s unhinged idea of a Christian genocide in Nigeria that was used to justify sending bombs to Nigeria late on Christmas night. However, trending videos have only verified the bombing of farmlands in Sokoto. One wonders why Sokoto, and, up till now, we have yet to confirm that ISIS terrorists were hit.

In his unhinged reporting style via social media, Trump ranted in a manner that belittled Nigeria. He did not even confirm the cooperation or support of the Tinubu administration. Let us not forget that he recently added Nigeria to the list of visa restrictions, including the Christians he claims to be committed to protecting. Surely, his justification cannot mislead everyone, as the world knows the Trump government operates with polarisation, populism, and post-truths.

The Secretary of War, Hegseth, thanked the Nigerian government for its support and cooperation. He reiterated Trump’s rhetoric that “the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.” In his justification, he claimed, “ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…” Surely, critics would not have raised eyebrows if the bombs had been sent to the Borno-Yobe area, where a mosque attack occurred on Christmas Eve. One wonders how the intelligence concluded that farmlands in Sokoto should be the first point of attack.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, appeared in the media the morning after the bombing to calm things down. He stated that he was in contact with his American counterpart, and they had even spoken before the attack that hit farmlands in Sokoto. Similarly, the Minister of Information provided the government’s position that it supported America’s decision to bomb Sokoto. Onanuga reiterated the same position. Nigerians had many unanswered questions, but neither Tuggar nor these spokesmen are specialists equipped to answer them.

Tinubu’s adviser on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, cast doubt on their position. He said, “It is all sketchy,” refusing to confirm that the attack had hit any significant target beyond the verified news of farmlands being bombed.

The Minister of Aviation offered his unsolicited support in a tweet. He used a metaphor: if a house is on fire, you should not refuse someone with a fire extinguisher. America is the person extinguishing the fire for the Tinubu administration. The Finance Minister, Wale Edun, issued a statement to investors affirming that Nigeria remains stable and focused on economic reforms.

Those hoping to hear from Tinubu will have to wait a bit longer, as he left the country three days after the attack. It is part of his “end-of-year” break, ahead of his trip to Abu Dhabi. But he has left people frustrated. Aside from the internal security challenges facing the country, international problems are beginning to emerge. Trump’s bombing is not the first. Burkina Faso recently released the Nigerian Air Force crew who had been detained for 10 days.

The notion is that if Nigerians cannot hear from the president, they should at least hear from someone they believe has the professional experience to address the issue—the Minister of Defence. Unfortunately, General Christopher Musa did not appear in the media to discuss the national issue. At the time of writing, five days after the bombing, he has yet do so. This was not expected of CG Musa. His advocates thought he would lead from the front, as he also attested during his Ministerial screening.

But looking back, this is the usual approach of CG Musa, even when he was the military chief. He was rarely visible during a security crisis. He emerges only after the nerves have calmed, takes credit for any success, and delivers a motivational speech.

One would have expected him to give a speech, even if it were less motivational, about the situation, as Pete Hegseth did for the Americans. Some suggested he should make a joint statement with Hegseth, as the attack was a collaborative effort.

Unlike CG Musa, it was Tuggar who did the damage control. Some justify Tuggar’s appearance as political because he is a Muslim, and the failed attack affected Muslim communities and their farmlands. Regardless of the justification, Chris Musa’s silence is a failure of his office and judgment. He would not have been hiding if the attack had been positive.

No matter the framing, the silence of the defence minister, after five days of bombing in Nigeria and with the President abroad, is indefensible. At a moment of shock and fear, the country heard from the Foreign Minister and others, but not from the man charged with national defence. Unlike those who spoke of intelligence sharing and authorisation, Musa did not. Was he even informed or involved at all?

Media reports and widely circulated images show him on Christmas Day dancing in a church after cutting a cake to mark his 58th birthday. He was missing in action on Friday, 24 hours after the bombing. And within forty-eight hours of the strike, he was seen attending a homecoming ritual in his Atyap hometown, where traditional leaders ceremoniously received him with praise.

Similar reports show him later at a church Thanksgiving service, 72 hours after the attack. In his speech, he spoke only about his personal glory, based on the clips available. The key motivational quote shared by influencers is: “When the enemy conspired and thought they had won, they did not know they were lifting us higher.” This is utterly unprofessional. A “career defence minister” cannot be talking about personal glory during a national crisis.

If this is the behaviour we are to see from CG Musa, then we had better prepare ourselves for the continuation of mediocrity. His supporters celebrated his appointment under the illusion that it would be different. As it stands, he is no different from those flying to France for an end-of-year break or those propagating Christian genocide from America.

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