Nigeria Soldier Arrested on Allegations of Leaking Information to Criminal Networks

For more than ten years, Nigeria has endured relentless armed assaults on civilians, prompting questions about whether the violence persists due to collusion between criminals and security forces.

Security analyst and retired army major Bashir Galma told the BBC that it is plausible that some of these groups receive assistance from military personnel.

He noted, “There have been cases where attack plans are leaked to Boko Haram or other criminal gangs,” indicating possible insider tip‑offs.

According to Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings by armed groups occurred between January 2024 and April 2025.

The spike in mass abductions has been linked to local bandits and insurgent assaults by Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP.

School attacks have also drawn headlines, though they are not new. The International Centre for Investigative Reporting reports that from April 2014 to May 2026, 26 major school attacks resulted in the abduction of at least 2,416 students.

Official estimates place annual ransom payments in the millions of dollars.

In April 2025, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum claimed that informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents were embedded within the armed forces, political elite, and local communities.

“We must strengthen our intelligence and deal with them ruthlessly,” he said at a security meeting.

Months later, a special court‑martial sentenced three Nigerian soldiers to life imprisonment for participating in a major arms‑and‑ammunition racketeering scheme; the army found them guilty of theft, illegal ammunition dealing, and aiding the enemy.

Galma told the BBC that low salaries foster corruption among soldiers, and he also raised the possibility that some personnel secretly sympathize with other groups.

An anonymous serving soldier told the BBC that troops have occasionally been caught dealing with the opposition, though such incidents are usually kept quiet and handled internally.

After his family paid a 57 million‑naira ransom (about $42,000 or £31,000), one released hostage described a disturbing scene upon his freedom.

“They dropped us off at a spot where security personnel were shaking hands and laughing with the captors,” he told the BBC, requesting anonymity.

He suspects the security forces he observed may have taken a share of the ransom, although he lacks proof.

Yahuza Isa, a farmer abducted in Zamfara State, voiced the frustration felt by many victims.

“I know where these criminals are,” he said. “Why aren’t we dealing with them fully?”

Another survivor, who survived a 30‑day ordeal in late 2024, suspected that the collusion reaches much higher levels.

He recalled hearing a helicopter land near the concealed camp where he was held blindfolded.

“The first time I heard it, I thought the Nigerian Air Force had come to rescue us,” he said, “but we could hear the helicopter departing afterward.”

Hearing the helicopter multiple times led him to believe the gangs enjoyed some form of high‑level logistical support.

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