National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has revealed that a significant portion of the illegal weapons used by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria were originally owned by the Federal Government. In a shocking disclosure during the burning of seized illegal arms, Ribadu accused some security personnel of selling these government-owned weapons to criminal elements, fueling the ongoing insurgency in various parts of the country.
The burning of the seized weapons, a symbolic action to rid the nation of illicit arms, took place amid heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in Nigeria. Ribadu’s remarks shed new light on a question that has long troubled Nigerians: how terrorists and bandits manage to acquire such a large cache of sophisticated weaponry.
For years, citizens and security experts alike have raised concerns over the source of the arms being wielded by these criminal groups, questioning how bandits and terrorists maintain access to military-grade weapons. Ribadu’s accusations point to a disturbing internal problem within the country’s security apparatus, one that suggests a breach of trust and systemic failure in safeguarding the nation’s arsenal.
The disclosure is likely to fuel calls for a thorough investigation into the security forces and a tightening of control measures over the nation’s arms. Ribadu’s revelations underscore the urgency of overhauling Nigeria’s security system to prevent further leakage of weapons to those threatening the country’s peace and stability.
The National Security Adviser did not specify the extent of the problem but emphasized the need for immediate reforms within the security sector. His statements come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multiple security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.
