By Emmanuel Kwada
In a stunning blow to Nigeria’s internal security, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested 18 serving soldiers, 15 mobile policemen, and eight civilians, including a traditional ruler, for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists and other criminal elements.
This is one of the most damning internal security breaches in recent years
The arrests, announced during a press briefing in Maiduguri, expose a deeply troubling network of arms racketeering that threatens to undermine the nation’s fight against insurgency in the Northeast.
Major Ademola Owolana, Staff Officer Grade Two of Operation Hadin Kai, revealed that the arrests were made under Operation Snowball, a covert initiative launched in August 2024 to dismantle arms trafficking networks. The operation spanned 11 states, including Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“This is one of the most damning internal security breaches in recent years,” Owolana stated, emphasizing the severe impact of such actions on troop morale and battlefield effectiveness.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns about the resurgence of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks in Borno State
Preliminary investigations uncovered staggering financial transactions linked to the suspects. Sgt. Ameh Raphael, an armourer with the 7th Division Garrison, allegedly amassed over N45 million since 2018, while Sgt. Seidi Adamu of the 3rd Division Ordnance Services accrued N34 million since 2022.
Most shockingly, Inspector Enoch Ngwa, a policeman, had N135 million pass through his account, highlighting the lucrative nature of the illicit trade. Owolana noted that community pressure to supply arms for communal conflicts and the promise of quick profits were key drivers of the racket.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns about the resurgence of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks in Borno State, with Governor Babagana Zulum recently accusing some military officers and politicians of collaborating with terrorists. A notable incident on February 24, 2025, saw a soldier from the 144th Battalion caught with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition in Tashin-Karo, Kano, during a routine military police search.
No one is above the law
Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar also raised alarms about foreign mercenaries, including four Pakistani nationals, allegedly training terrorists in advanced tactics, such as drone usage, further escalating the threat.
Additionally, Owolana accused some non-governmental organizations of smuggling food and additives to terrorist enclaves under the guise of humanitarian aid, complicating efforts to curb insurgency logistics.
The military has taken decisive action, dismissing culpable personnel and handing them over to the police for prosecution. “No one is above the law,” Owolana declared, warning that stringent punishments will serve as a deterrent. Since January 2025, Operation Hadin Kai has also arrested 186 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and collaborators, recovering 603 assault weapons, 56 RPG bombs, 16 mortar bombs, and 147,137 units of anti-aircraft ammunition.
stringent punishments will serve as a deterrent
The operation’s successes extend beyond arrests, with troops stabilizing areas like Kukawa town, enabling over 10,000 displaced residents to return after a terrorist-issued vacation order in May 2024. However, challenges persist, including a lack of tracking devices to monitor logistics suppliers and the proliferation of narcotics enhancing terrorist capabilities.
As investigations continue, the Nigerian military has vowed to root out internal saboteurs, with pressure mounting to restore public trust and strengthen the fight against terrorism. The nation awaits justice for those undermining its security, as the sacrifices of frontline troops hang in the balance.
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