A Nigerian soldier has been apprehended on suspicion of supplying military uniforms to criminal and terrorist groups, the army confirmed. Private Mohammed Yusuf was detained on Saturday evening at a bus stop in Maiduguri, a city in Nigeria's north-east. Military spokesperson Mohammed Goni stated that Yusuf, previously stationed at an army equipment factory, was allegedly attempting to cross the border into neighbouring Cameroon. He had reportedly deserted his unit earlier this month and subsequently went into hiding in Maiduguri with the assistance of an associate.
This arrest has significantly reignited concerns that internal collusion might be contributing to the pervasive insecurity across Nigeria. For over a decade, the West African nation has been grappling with a multitude of armed groups, including militant Islamists like Boko Haram and ISWAP, separatists, and gangs specialising in civilian kidnappings for ransom. Many of these groups are known to deceptively use military uniforms during their operations, raising questions about how they acquire such equipment and information.
Security analyst and retired army major Bashir Galma told the BBC that it is not unreasonable to suspect military personnel are assisting these groups. He cited instances where plans for attacks were allegedly leaked to Boko Haram or other criminal gangs, suggesting insider tip-offs. Data from Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission indicates a grim picture, with at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings by armed groups recorded between January 2024 and April 2025 alone. The alarming surge in mass abductions is largely attributed to these 'bandits' and insurgent attacks, with ransom payments estimated to run into millions of US dollars annually.
The issue of internal collaboration is not new. In April 2025, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum publicly alleged that informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents were operating within the country's armed forces, political class, and local communities. He called for strengthened intelligence and ruthless action against such individuals. Months later, a special court-martial sentenced three Nigerian soldiers to life imprisonment for their involvement in an arms and ammunition racketeering scheme, finding them guilty of theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and 'aiding the enemy'.
Analyst Galma suggests that poor pay might contribute to corruption within the military, alongside the 'issue of ideology' where some personnel may hold secret allegiances to other groups. A serving soldier, speaking anonymously to the BBC, acknowledged instances of colleagues 'caught dealing with the other side,' though such matters are often 'hushed and dealt with internally.' These revelations underscore the deep-seated challenges Nigeria faces in its ongoing struggle against armed violence.