A shocking trend of security personnel selling arms and ammunition to terrorists has reached a boiling point in Nigeria, with over 40 mobile policemen and soldiers arrested in recent months across the country.
This disturbing phenomenon was uncovered during discreet investigations into the proliferation of weapons used by terrorists and bandits, conducted by intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Military Police.
The alarming revelation underscores a critical breach in Nigeria’s internal security, where individuals sworn to protect the nation are instead fueling violence and aiding criminal elements.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had previously raised concerns over the illegal sale of arms by security agents to bandits and terrorists. Speaking at an event organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in Abuja, Ribadu condemned the betrayal by these personnel.
Apparently pained and infuriated at the same time, Ribadu had stated, “The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who takes arms from his formation and sells them to bad people, enabling them to kill his own colleagues and fellow citizens.”
He stressed the urgent need to halt these practices, warning that they not only embolden terrorists but also exacerbate insecurity in Nigeria and the broader West African region.
The involvement of security personnel in arming terrorists not only compromises national security but also undermines regional efforts to combat terrorism.
This situation has also added to the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in view of the growing threat of terrorism in Nigeria, where the country is struggling to contain the infiltration of terrorists groups from countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that these individuals were apprehended during discreet investigations into the proliferation of weapons used by criminal elements, including terrorists and bandits in the North East, North West, North Central and South East part of the country.
Details of the Illicit Network
Investigations revealed that some of the arrested security personnel had amassed significant wealth from their illicit acts. A soldier was discovered to have over ₦50 million in his account from arms sales, while a mobile policeman had accumulated over ₦80 million.
AK47 riffle are being sold ranging from N500,000 to N750,000 while other weapons like anti-aircraft gun are sold from N1 million and above.
These transactions highlight an organized and lucrative network of illicit arms trading between rogue soldier elements and the police.
The proliferation of these weapons has worsened insecurity in regions such as the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-East, where bandits, terrorists, and separatist groups continue to launch deadly attacks on communities.
Calls for Action
It is advised that DHQ should check involvement of security personnel in arms racketeering with a view to nipping the aspect in the bud while ONSA should direct the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to investigate the arms trade and dismantle the networks facilitating these transactions.
By Zagazola Makama
