[By Abigail Philip David]
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to investigate and clamp down on officers and personnel involved in stealing arms and selling them to terrorists, bandits, and criminal gangs across the country. This move comes following a shocking revelation by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who disclosed that many of the weapons used by terrorists were purchased with taxpayer money.
Ribadu accused some security agents of betraying their duty by selling arms and ammunition to criminals, calling such individuals the “worst human beings.” He emphasized the gravity of the situation and vowed that the government would take all necessary steps to ensure the country’s safety and security.
“We must put an end to this if we want to recover our country and live in peace and stability,” Ribadu said, stressing that these acts of betrayal within the security forces must be eradicated. “The worst human being is a policeman or soldier who takes arms from his formation and sells it to the wrong people to kill his colleagues.”
The NSA highlighted the alarming impact of illicit arms proliferation, noting that it exacerbates insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes in Nigeria. He also cursed security personnel who facilitate the transfer of weapons to non-state actors.
Ribadu’s comments have sparked widespread concern and raised questions about how these criminal groups, many of which operate entirely within Nigeria, are accessing their weapons. Sources indicate that despite some arrests within the military, the scale of arms in the hands of non-state actors suggests that more security personnel may be involved.
According to a source quoted by *LEADERSHIP*, the military has arrested some culprits, but the numbers are small compared to the extent of the problem. The source also revealed that additional efforts are now being directed towards monitoring the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) under the newly established agency in the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The press reports that between 2020 and 2024, at least 10 soldiers were arrested for stealing and selling arms and ammunition. Some have been dismissed from service, while others are still undergoing investigation.
Among the high-profile cases, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a serving soldier, Iorliam Emmanuel, in October 2022 for allegedly supplying ammunition to terrorists in Borno State. Similarly, in Zamfara State, seven military officers were arrested in 2021 for allegedly aiding bandits by providing logistics and information.
Further arrests followed, including that of L/Cpl Mubarak Yakubu in May 2024, who was caught with 756 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and grenades hidden in a bag of rice. In August 2024, another sergeant was apprehended with 485 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and magazines in Borno State.
Calls have now intensified for the government to extend the crackdown to all military and paramilitary formations, with Nigerians expressing concerns over the sophisticated weapons being wielded by domestic terrorists who have not crossed the country’s borders.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, declined to comment further, noting that the Minister of Defence had already addressed the issue. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, also refrained from commenting, referring reporters to the Army spokesperson.
As the investigation continues, Nigerians are hoping the government’s actions will put an end to the dangerous flow of arms to criminals, restoring peace and security across the nation.
