Former Nigerian Senator, Shehu Sani, has raised concerns over revelations by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu regarding the sources of arms used by bandits and terrorists in Nigeria.
In a statement shared on his verified Twitter account, Sani noted that Ribadu’s reported disclosure that many of the weapons utilized by criminal elements are sourced from rogue elements within Nigeria’s own security agencies is alarming. He described this as evidence that the country’s persistent security challenges are, in part, reinforced by internal betrayal from members of the police and armed forces.
Sani’s comments point to the critical role that corruption and complicity within security forces play in perpetuating Nigeria’s insecurity. The former senator emphasized that drastic measures are required to address these issues, using a metaphor of “fumigation and deworming” to describe the necessary cleansing process within the police and army. He stressed that it is not enough to fight external threats without addressing the internal enablers that provide weapons to bandits and terrorists.
This allegation, if proven true, suggests a systemic failure within the security apparatus and raises questions about the accountability and integrity of Nigeria’s defense institutions. Sani’s call for reform echoes a growing demand for a complete overhaul of the security system, ensuring that those responsible for protecting the nation are not complicit in its destabilization.