Security agents supplying arms to terrorists, bandits – NSA
National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday disclosed that many illicit arms being used by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria originated from government security agencies.
Ribadu made this revelation at an arms destruction exercise organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Giri, Abuja.
The NSA expressed outrage over the role of corrupt security personnel in the illegal transfer of government-owned weapons to non-state actors, condemning such unpatriotic acts. Ribadu warned that officers found guilty of facilitating the movement of arms to terrorists would face severe consequences, declaring that those involved would deeply regret their actions.
He spoke passionately about the devastating effects of these illicit weapons, stating that they are responsible for much of the violence plaguing Nigeria, including kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism. According to Ribadu, these arms enable criminals to disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens and seize control of ungoverned spaces.
At the event, at least 2,400 obsolete and recovered illicit arms were destroyed. The arms, deemed unserviceable, were permanently removed from circulation. The destruction exercise was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other top military officials.
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Ribadu stressed the importance of the arms destruction initiative, noting that it was a symbolic step toward addressing the proliferation of illegal weapons in Nigeria. He reiterated that corrupt elements within the security agencies who supply these arms to criminals are the worst offenders, stating, “The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who will take arms from his own formation and sell it or hand it out for the bad people to come and kill his own colleagues.”
Further addressing the issue, Ribadu revealed that a significant number of the illicit weapons used by terrorists and bandits originally belonged to the government. He lamented that these arms were stolen and sold by corrupt individuals, contributing to the insecurity in the country.
He also criticized foreign arms manufacturers for profiting from the instability in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, where countries like Niger, Mali, Chad, and Burkina Faso are grappling with widespread violence. Ribadu accused these manufacturers of flooding the region with weapons instead of providing technological assistance that could improve the quality of life in the region.
Despite the challenges, Ribadu assured the public that the military and other security agencies remain committed to combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. He affirmed that the present government is determined to overcome the security challenges facing the country and that efforts are underway to restore peace and stability.
“We are not going to relent. They think we are jokers, but we are not,” Ribadu said. “With the leadership we have today in our country and the set of people in charge, we have hope. Just give us time, and things will change.”
Earlier at the event, the Director-General of the NCCSALW, Johnson Kokumo, explained that the arms destruction exercise was in line with international protocols, including Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.
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Kokumo emphasized that the exercise marked a significant step in the fight against the proliferation of illicit weapons in Nigeria. He noted that removing these arms from circulation would not only enhance national security but also send a strong message that the country would not tolerate illegal arms trafficking.
He further disclosed that the NCCSALW had in its custody several recovered illicit arms, which are still undergoing tracing, investigation, and legal processes. These weapons, once processed, will also be destroyed in future exercises.
In light of the NSA’s revelations, security experts have called for stronger measures to curb the involvement of security personnel in the illegal arms trade.
Chukwuma Ume, a security sector reform expert, urged the federal government to ensure that corrupt officers are arrested and prosecuted to deter others from engaging in similar activities.
Ume noted that the presence of bad actors within the security forces reflects systemic failures and called for decisive action to restore public trust in the sector. “We need to take very concrete and decisive steps in curbing that. We need to seek punishment and prosecution,” he said.
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