Approximately 40 security personnel have been apprehended for their involvement in selling arms to terrorist groups.
This action underscores the federal government’s commitment to addressing the alarming trend of security operatives facilitating the flow of weapons to criminal factions.
The initiative to investigate security personnel stemmed from shocking revelations that many of the weapons used by terrorists were procured through government channels, funded by taxpayers’ money.
This discovery raised serious concerns about the integrity of those tasked with protecting citizens, as terrorists and bandits have increasingly wielded sophisticated weaponry within the country.
In response to this escalating crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has intensified efforts to ensure accountability within the security forces. The recent arrests, which include both police and military personnel, signal a decisive move towards restoring public trust in Nigeria’s security apparatus.
The investigation, conducted by intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Theatre Command of North East Operation Hadin Kai, unveiled a disturbing pattern of collusion between security operatives and arms trafficking networks. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu expressed his alarm at these developments during a recent event at the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abuja. Ribadu condemned the actions of those within the security forces who betray their duty, stating, “The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who takes arms from his formation and sells them to bad people.”
This alarming trend not only emboldens terrorist factions but also exacerbates insecurity across Nigeria and the broader West African region. The involvement of security personnel in illegal arms sales poses a significant threat to national stability and undermines collective efforts to combat terrorism.
The investigation revealed that regions such as the North East, North West, North Central, and South East have been particularly affected by the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). Sources indicate that many of the arrested personnel have amassed considerable wealth through their illegal activities, with one soldier reportedly holding over N50 million in his bank account from arms sales, while a mobile policeman accumulated over N80 million.
The illicit arms market is reportedly thriving, with prices for weapons such as AK-47 rifles ranging from N500,000 to N750,000, and Anti Aircraft guns selling for over N1 million. This organized network of arms trafficking poses severe challenges to Nigeria’s security landscape, as bandits, terrorists, and separatist groups continue to launch deadly attacks on vulnerable communities.
