The Office of the President in the Federal Republic Nigeria has announced the resignation of Defense Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, following the growing nuisance of insurgencies and killings across many areas in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu last week declared a “nationwide security emergency” and ordered the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers.

Nigeria is battling dozens of armed groups operating in remote communities where government and security forces have limited reach.

In November, more than 300 hundred people were kidnapped from a school in northern Niger state. Just days before, 25 schoolgirls were abducted in neighboring Kebbi state.

Analysts say armed gangs often target schools to pressure the government into negotiating ransoms. No group has yet claimed responsibility for either attack.

The crisis has grown more complex as groups from other parts of the Sahel region have joined jihadist Boko Haram factions seeking to expand their presence in northern Nigeria.