Retired military generals who have fought against insurgency in Nigeria believe that certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international agencies, and vested interests are secretly aiding and abetting terrorism and violent crimes in the country. This shocking revelation comes as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called on the Federal Government to invite the United Nations to investigate the flow of arms to terrorists and bandits. Despite the military’s efforts to combat these groups, they continue to thrive, highlighting a complex and deeply entrenched issue.
Amidst criticism that the military has not effectively utilized its budget to combat terrorism, retired generals from the Army, Navy, and Air Force have spoken out, identifying the root of the problem and those responsible for the ongoing violence. They claim that certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other entities are secretly supplying terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers with sophisticated arms, perpetuating the conflict. The generals’ allegations come after the Chief of Defence Staff called for a UN investigation into the flow of arms to these groups.
When approached for comment, a representative of the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Forum in Nigeria declined to speak on the record, but offered to provide a response through an authorized spokesperson.
A former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of I Division shared his insider perspective, stating that the Chief of Defence Staff’s call for a UN investigation into arms supply to terrorists is justified. The former GOC attributed the surge in violence and banditry to the involvement of external and internal non-state players, who are often sponsored from the Middle East. He revealed that some financiers of insurgency were arrested but not prosecuted, allowing them to continue funding terrorism.
The ex-GOC emphasized that Boko Haram has been fueled by religious indoctrination and a desire to destabilize the country and control valuable resources. He also pointed to the Sahel region as a key target for these global criminal organizations.
Additionally, the former GOC highlighted social failures in the region, including lack of jobs, under-development, poor healthcare, and education, which provide an environment for terrorists to recruit young people. This complex mix of internal and external factors has enabled terrorism to thrive in Nigeria for nearly 15 years, he said.
The Northern region of Nigeria is estimated to have millions of out-of-school children and the highest illiteracy rates in the country. While the military has effectively diminished the power of terrorist organizations, there is a pressing need for state governments to invest in the local economy to provide viable alternatives for potential recruits to criminal activities.
The military, along with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other security agencies, must leverage technology to disrupt funding for these groups, requiring international cooperation for success. The CBN’s recent revocation of thousands of bureaux de change licenses is a positive step, and the National Financial Intelligence Unit should intensify efforts to track terrorist financing. Collaboration with Interpol and neighboring countries is also essential to dismantle terrorist cells.
Additionally, there is a need for regulation of religious teachings across Nigeria, as the current system allows unregulated establishment of mosques and churches, posing a risk. This issue requires legislative intervention from the National Assembly or a Presidential Executive Order for proper oversight. The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the National Security Adviser should take proactive steps to prosecute criminals publicly. Finally, the establishment of state police is crucial to enhance security coverage for Nigeria’s population of over 250 million, as the existing central policing system is inadequate for addressing the nation’s security challenges.
A former theatre commander of the Joint Task Force in Northeast Nigeria emphasized the need to combat the spread of terrorist ideology and funding in the country. He noted that while national policies have aimed at defeating terrorists over the past 15 years, their ideology continues to persist.
He pointed out that many youth in areas like Borno openly express intentions to join terrorist groups due to a lack of economic opportunities, making them easy targets for recruitment. The commander also observed that farmers often leave surplus crops in the fields, which are then taken by terrorists as a form of payment or support, contributing to the financing of armed groups.
The commander raised concerns about a potential international conspiracy targeting the Sahel region, linking Libya’s instability and its arms to a broader scheme to destabilize Africa and exploit its resources. He highlighted the ongoing insecurity in regions rich in resources, such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, and Katsina, suggesting that it is not due to a lack of military capability but rather the result of certain interests undermining security in Nigeria. He questioned why a powerful military struggles to capture elusive terrorist leaders and why foreign nations are unwilling to sell arms to Nigeria while adequately supplying non-state actors. These inquiries lead to broader concerns about the sources of funding, arms, and training for terrorists, suggesting a complex web of domestic and international complicity in the ongoing conflict.
Bad governance is a significant factor contributing to Nigeria’s increasing security challenges, as it prevents the government from effectively reaching its citizens. This situation allows insecurity to persist, benefiting certain interest groups. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, deserves recognition for advocating a UN investigation into the sources of arms flowing to terrorists, as the military is actively trying to combat terrorism despite ongoing arms supply.
The fight against terrorism should involve a collective national effort, not just the military and security agencies. Individuals in communities, such as those in Zamfara State, could play a crucial role. If the millions of residents united against the relatively small number of bandits terrorizing them, they could significantly weaken the threat.
A former Army Director of Information emphasized that Boko Haram’s continued access to arms and funding remains a major concern. The group relies on various revenue streams, including international sponsorship, ransom payments, illicit trade, local extortion, and taxes. To disrupt this support, Nigeria must enhance its financial intelligence, strengthen regional cooperation, and utilize advanced technologies such as satellite surveillance.
Engaging the United Nations could assist in tracking arms flows and imposing sanctions on sponsors, but these efforts should complement strong domestic and regional strategies. It is vital to address socio-economic vulnerabilities through education, job creation, and governance reforms. Highlighting the importance of strategic locations like Damboa, the need for targeted operations is emphasized to ensure lasting security and diminish terrorist access. Overall, a holistic approach combining military action with socio-economic improvements is essential in the fight against terrorism.
A former security official stated that to effectively combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping in Nigeria, the government should first expel all NGOs operating in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions. He claims that many of these NGOs are secretly funding and sponsoring terrorist groups.
He also alleged that NGOs are behind calls for foreign mercenaries to be brought in to fight terrorism, which he claims is an attempt to undermine the military’s progress in combatting the issue. The official cited instances where villagers reported seeing aircraft landing in forests at night, which he believes were used to drop arms and ammunition for terrorists.
The former official accused NGOs of using charitable activities, such as donating mosquito nets and insecticides, as a front for their true intentions of making millions of dollars from arms sales and mineral resources export. He claimed that these weapons are sold cheaply to terrorists and bandits, sometimes for as little as $5 or $10.
He also highlighted a specific instance in Kaduna where 450 Boko Haram terrorists were discovered to have migrated from the North-East to Birnin Gwari forests, but the government lacked the political will to take action against them. The official stated that the military and security forces are doing everything they can to combat banditry and terrorism, but are being hindered by the supply of arms and equipment to terrorists through NGOs and other agencies.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has recently destroyed over 2,400 illicit weapons in Abuja, marking its second destruction event in six months. According to DIG Johnson Kokumo, these weapons were confiscated from terrorists and criminals by various security agencies. The destruction aimed to permanently remove these dangerous arms from circulation, thereby enhancing community safety.
The NCCSALW is still processing additional captured illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) for legal proceedings before their scheduled destruction. Kokumo emphasized that these efforts reflect the federal government’s commitment to national security and peace in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Additionally, Major General Edward Buba from the Defence headquarters reported that Nigerian troops recovered 8,815 weapons and 228,004 rounds of ammunition throughout 2024. The breakdown includes a significant number of AK-47 rifles and other types of firearms and ammunition distributed across various military operations, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and insecurity in the country.