By Reportcircle Abuja
In a bid to extinguish swirling public speculation, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, on Thursday delivered a firm assurance that the Defence Ministry remains fully functional and strategically focused despite the absence of Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff General O.O. Oluyede.
Matawalle, in a strongly worded statement, dismissed claims that Minister Badaru “abandoned” the country amid heightened security concerns, describing the reports as misleading and irresponsible.
He stressed that Badaru is in Dubai with the express approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leading Nigeria’s high-profile delegation to the 2025 Dubai International Airshow, one of the world’s most influential gatherings for aerospace, defence, and security innovation.
According to Matawalle, the Dubai Airshow offers Nigeria a rare opportunity to advance defence partnerships, court cutting-edge technologies, and cement the country’s place in global security conversations.
“Our participation is strategic,” he said. “Nigeria is showcasing its defence advancements and exploring collaborations critical to our long-term national security interests.”
Responding to public anxiety sparked by the coinciding absence of key security leaders, Matawalle insisted that being abroad does not translate to a breakdown in national security coordination.
“Minister Badaru’s official engagement abroad does not diminish our sensitivity or response to the current security situation at home,” he said. “These engagements were approved, and they are important to strengthening our defence posture.”
Matawalle also addressed the ongoing outcry over the abduction of schoolchildren, reaffirming the government’s resolve to secure their safe return.
“I condemned the abduction immediately,” he noted. “Our security agencies are fully mobilised, our strategies are active, and we are in constant communication with all relevant authorities. The safety of the students remains a top priority.”
He assured Nigerians that the ministry’s two-minister structure ensures uninterrupted leadership even when one minister is on international duty.
“I am on the ground, coordinating all necessary actions,” he said. “Rest assured, we are doing everything possible to ensure the swift and safe return of the students.”
Matawalle added that Minister Badaru will “fully re-engage” with ongoing security efforts upon his return from Dubai.
The Defence Ministry insists that the country’s security machinery remains intact, operational, and unshaken despite the noise.
