MINISTER of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Tuesday vowed to take legal action against those behind reports alleging that he had resigned from office, saying he was “shocked” by the claims and had no knowledge of their source.
“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,” Musa said after emerging from a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Musa arrived at the Villa at about 3pm and departed shortly after 4pm on Tuesday amid swirling speculation over his continued stay as Defence Minister.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the minister dismissed the resignation reports, insisting that no such discussion had taken place and suggesting that the claims were being circulated by individuals uncomfortable with the administration’s improving security situation.
“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 said.
The Defence Minister described the rumour as a deliberate attempt to weaken public confidence in the administration’s efforts to address insecurity 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.
Musa said his meeting with President Tinubu was part of routine security briefings and revealed that the President expressed satisfaction with the performance of the nation’s armed forces.
“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 appealed for continued support and cooperation from Nigerians, describing public participation as critical to defeating terrorism, banditry and other security threats facing the country.
“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,” Musa stated.
Musa was nominated as Minister of Defence by President Bola Tinubu on December 2, 2025, after previously serving as Chief of Defence Staff from July 2023.