Key facts
- A Nigerian soldier, Private Mohammed Yusuf, was arrested for allegedly supplying military uniforms to criminal and terrorist groups.
- The soldier was apprehended in Maiduguri while reportedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.
- Yusuf had deserted his unit earlier in the month and was allegedly in hiding with an associate.
- The arrest has reignited concerns about potential collusion between security personnel and armed groups in Nigeria.
- Data shows thousands of kidnappings and killings attributed to armed groups in Nigeria between January 2024 and April 2025.
A Nigerian soldier, Private Mohammed Yusuf, has been arrested on allegations of supplying military uniforms to criminal and terrorist groups, according to the army. Yusuf was apprehended on Saturday evening in Maiduguri, a city in the country's northeast, while reportedly attempting to flee across the border into neighboring Cameroon. The army stated that Yusuf had deserted his unit earlier in the month and had been in hiding with an associate.
The arrest has amplified concerns and speculation regarding the persistent insecurity in Nigeria, with many questioning if collusion between security personnel and various armed groups contributes to the ongoing violence. These groups include militant Islamists, separatists, and gangs involved in civilian kidnappings for ransom, some of whom have been known to use military uniforms deceptively.
Security analysts, such as retired army major Bashir Galma, believe that insider information from military personnel could be reaching groups like Boko Haram, aiding their operations. Data from Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission indicates that between January 2024 and April 2025 alone, there were at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings by armed groups. The International Centre for Investigative Reporting notes that between April 2014 and May 2026, there were 26 major school attacks resulting in the abduction of at least 2,416 students.
In April 2025, the governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum, publicly alleged that informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents were present within the country's armed forces, political class, and local communities. This follows a previous incident where a special court-martial sentenced three Nigerian soldiers to life imprisonment for involvement in arms and ammunition racketeering, found guilty of theft and aiding the enemy.
Analysts like Galma suggest that poor pay for soldiers could be a factor in such corruption, alongside potential ideological allegiances. A serving soldier, speaking anonymously, confirmed instances of soldiers dealing with "the other side" but noted these are often handled internally. Survivors of kidnappings have also shared disturbing accounts, including one who described seeing security personnel interacting amicably with his captors and another who heard a helicopter landing near his holding camp multiple times, suggesting high-level logistical cooperation.
Security expert Abdullahi Abdullahi pointed out that armed groups also receive assistance from civilian informants, which helps sustain the conflict. While the arrest of Yusuf indicates the military's acknowledgment of internal issues, the effectiveness of future actions remains uncertain. Investigations into Yusuf's alleged operations and potential accomplices are ongoing.