National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has revealed that bandits and terrorists in Nigeria have acquired a significant portion of their arms and ammunition from corrupt security personnel. Ribadu made this statement during the destruction of 2,400 seized illicit small arms and light weapons in Abuja.
Addressing the alarming situation, Ribadu expressed deep concern about the involvement of security officers in selling arms to criminals, a practice he labeled as treacherous. “The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who takes arms from his own formation and sells them to bad people who then use them to kill his colleagues,” Ribadu said.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the issue, stressing the need to end the proliferation of illicit weapons to restore peace and security. “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,” the NSA added.
The weapons destroyed at the event were unserviceable, decommissioned, or recovered by military and police operations across the country. Johnson Kokumo, the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), stated that the arms had been permanently removed from circulation to prevent them from falling back into criminal hands. “By permanently removing these arms from circulation, we reduce the risk they pose to our communities and send a clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate illegal trafficking and possession of small arms and light weapons,” Kokumo said.
In a related development, Ribadu reaffirmed that 50 new fighter jets would be added to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet between December 2024 and 2026. This is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the military’s capacity to combat insurgents and criminal elements. Ribadu described the acquisition as a game-changer in the fight against terrorism. “We are not jokers. We know what we are doing, and I can assure you that, with the leadership we have today, we have hope,” Ribadu stated.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, added that these new jets would complement the 12 fighter jets recently inducted into NAF’s inventory. “This is a remarkable achievement that we have not witnessed in a long time. Indeed, these are exciting times that demand innovative thinking, resilience, and dedication,” Abubakar said during a biannual meeting with branch chiefs and Air Officers Commanding in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry has disclosed that military operations against insurgents in the Northeast and Northwest have reached an advanced stage, with the deployment of drones and satellite technology. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, stated that advanced military tactics, such as the use of satellites to operate drones, have significantly improved the military’s effectiveness in identifying and neutralizing enemy forces. He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary resources to enhance the country’s defense capabilities.
The Arewa Elders Progressive Group also praised President Tinubu’s approach to tackling insecurity, especially his decision to intensify military efforts against bandits. “His strategy is yielding results, and we are optimistic that with sustained action, the security challenges in the North will be surmounted,” the group’s Chairman, Mustafa Dutsinma, said in a statement.
With these measures in place, the government remains focused on overcoming the country’s security challenges and restoring stability.
