The federal government has beamed a searchlight on officers and men stealing arms and selling them to terrorists, bandits and other criminal gangs.
LEADERSHIP gathered that this came up as a result of the declaration of the national security adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who disclosed that the most arms being used by terrorists in the country are weapons that were purchased with the taxpayers’ money.
Ribadu had accused security agents of selling their arms and ammunition to the criminals.
The NSA rained curses on the security personnel who facilitate the movement of weapons to terrorists, bandits and other non-state actors.
He gave assurance that the government would do everything possible to ensure the country is safe, secure and protected.
“We have to find a way of putting a stop to this. If we want to recover our country and live in peace and stability, we must,” Ribadu was quoted as saying concerning the sale of arms by security personnel to criminal gangs.
“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who will take arms from his formations and sell it or hide it out for the wrong people to come and kill his colleagues.
We must fight these people, but there are merchants of death and evil from the outside world.
“The proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons remains a major threat to our national security, exacerbating issues such as insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes,” he said.
Ribadu’s revelation has sparked many reactions, questions, and concerns about how non-state actors, most of whom have not crossed the Nigerian border, are getting their weapons.
A source told LEADERSHIP that there is uneasy calm concerning where these terrorists are getting their weapons, adding that even though a process has been put in place to arrest the culprits, with the new agency under the Office of the National Security Adviser, more attention will now be given to security personnel, especially the police.
He noted that the military had been arresting some culprits, even though the number is small compared to the amount of arms in the hands of non-state actors.
He added that little progress had been made, especially in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), which gave more insight into the new approach.
LEADERSHIP gathered that at least 10 soldiers were arrested between 2020 and 2024 for stealing and selling arms and ammunition. Among them, some have been dismissed from service, while some cases are still pending.
LEADERSHIP had reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai had on October 11, 2022 arrested a serving soldier for allegedly stealing and supplying ammunition to terrorists.
The soldier, identified as Iorliam Emmanuel, was working under the 156 task force battalion in Mainok, Borno State.
The Zamfara State police had in April 2021 arrested seven serving military officers for allegedly supporting banditry activities in the state.
The military personnel allegedly supplied bandits with logistics and information.
Another soldier was arrested on May 9, 2024 over stolen ammunition and grenades concealed in a bag of rice in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The soldier, identified as L/cpl Mubarak Yakubu, was arrested with 756 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades.
In August 2024, another serving soldier, a sergeant, was arrested with 485 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and two magazines in Borno State.
“This exercise should encompass both military and para-military formations. It is worrying that terrorists who have not crossed the border of this country are holding sophisticated weapons,” a source said.
Nigerians have called for the searchlights to include both military and paramilitary.
The director of defence information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, declined comment on what the military had done. He said the minister had responded to the allegations and he won’t speak further.
Also, the director of defence media operations, Major General Edward Buba, declined to comment on the issue and referred our reporter to Army spokesman.
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