US EditionNigeria detains soldiers, police over weapons sales to armed groups
- The Nigerian military arrested a total of 18 soldiers, 15 members of the mobile police force, and eight civilians—among them a local traditional leader—on suspicion of supplying weapons to armed groups across several states in 2025.
- These arrests followed heightened insurgent attacks in northeastern Nigeria and emerged amid concerns about soldiers and police officers collaborating with terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
- Operation Snowball, launched in August 2024 across 11 states, targeted ammunition racketeering, uncovering significant illicit arms diversion sustaining terrorist logistics and criminal networks.
- Investigations revealed over 135 million naira moved through suspects’ accounts, including security personnel involved since 2018, while commanders warned that greed motivates arms racketeering undermining battlefield morale.
- The military called for intensified intelligence and regional cooperation to disrupt cross-border support for terrorists, emphasizing strict prosecution and continued counterinsurgency operations to stabilize affected communities.
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19 Articles
Nigeria detains soldiers, police over weapons sales to armed groups
The Nigerian military has detained over two dozen soldiers and members of the police force over sales of weapons from military stockpiles to armed groups, including Islamist insurgents, a spokesperson said.
In Nigeria, more than 30 soldiers and police officers were arrested on Wednesday, 28 May, suspected of having been involved in arms trafficking to armed groups, including jihadists, according to an army spokesman. Since August 2024, a large-scale military operation has been aimed at curbing the theft of weapons and ammunition, an issue that has become central to the fight against armed groups that threaten the country's security.
Nigeria detains troops, police for alleged sale of weapons to armed groups
The Nigerian military has detained more than 30 soldiers and police officers for allegedly stealing weapons from its stockpiles and selling them to armed groups, including jihadists in the country.
Nigeria: Military Arrests 18 Soldiers, 15 Cops Over Supply of Arms to Terrorists
Troops of the Nigerian military attached with Operation Hadin Kai have arrested 18 soldiers, 15 mobile policemen and 8 civilians, including a traditional ruler, for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to non-state actors.
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