In Borno State, the Nigeria Police Force has detained Private Bara’u Tajuddeen, a soldier with service number 22NA/82/3441, accused of stealing military-grade ammunition, including anti-aircraft rounds. Tajuddeen, stationed with the 19 Special Force Brigade in Maiduguri, was reportedly intercepted at the Maiduguri motor park while attempting to transport the stolen ammunition to Kano, allegedly to sell to bandits.
A source familiar with the situation explained that Tajuddeen had been under surveillance before his arrest. “The Nigeria Police Force detained a soldier, Private Bara’u Tajuddeen, on charges of stealing ammunition intended for bandits. He was apprehended at the Maiduguri motor park while en route to Kano,” the source said.
This arrest comes shortly after a warning from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. In October, Ribadu criticized certain Nigerian military and police officers for misappropriating arms and ammunition from their units to sell to criminal elements. Speaking at an event in Abuja where seized arms were destroyed by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Ribadu emphasized the need to curb this behavior for the country’s stability.
Ribadu remarked, “Stopping these individuals is essential if we want to secure peace and reclaim our nation. A soldier or policeman who supplies weapons to criminals threatens the lives of his colleagues and fellow citizens.” He highlighted the link between illegal arms proliferation and the rise in violent crimes, including insurgency and banditry, which jeopardizes Nigeria’s security.
He also pointed out that many of the illegal arms used in these crimes were initially government-issued weapons that ended up in the hands of criminals due to corruption within security forces. Ribadu stressed that the recent arms destruction efforts were part of a broader strategy to address arms trafficking in Nigeria. By eliminating unserviceable, outdated, and recovered weapons, he said, the government was reinforcing its commitment to a safer future for all Nigerians.
“All illicit arms, whether obsolete or functional, are illegal and should be destroyed. Ownership of small arms is regulated by law, and any weapon obtained outside this legal framework is classified as illicit and must be eradicated,” he stated.
DIG Johnson Kokumo (retd), Director General of NCCSALW, added that this was the third arms destruction exercise since the center’s inception, and the first under his leadership.
For more updates on this and other security matters, join our WhatsApp channel: WhatsApp Channel.