Nigeria’s security crisis worsens amid arms theft, sale by policemen, soldiers to bandits

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu has strongly condemned policemen and soldiers involved in stealing and selling arms and ammunition to criminal elements.

Speaking in Abuja during the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons’ destruction of arms, on Thursday, Ribadu labeled these security agents as “worse human beings.”

“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who will take arms from his own formations and sell them or hide them out for the bad people to come and kill his own colleagues,” Ribadu emphasized.

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He stressed the urgent need to address this issue, stating, “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.”

Ribadu’s comments come amidst Nigeria’s escalating security crisis. Boko Haram’s 15-year insurgency in North-East Nigeria has claimed over 40,000 lives. Additionally, “bandits” – criminal gangs – have terrorized Central and North-West Nigeria, raiding villages, killing residents and burning homes.

The proliferation of illicit arms, often originating from government supplies, exacerbates these security threats. Experts urge the government to prioritize civilian harm reduction, accountability within the security sector and rebuilding trust.

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