The detention of a Nigerian soldier on suspicion of providing information to criminal elements has reignited concerns that some members of the country's armed forces may be complicit in the nation's persistent security challenges. This incident comes amid a decade-long struggle with widespread armed attacks, kidnappings, and killings across Nigeria.
Security analysts suggest that such collaborations between military personnel and criminal groups are not uncommon. "I know there have been instances where plans are made for an attack on a location and the information finds its way to either Boko Haram or another criminal gang," Bashir Galma, a security analyst and retired army major, told the BBC, indicating the possibility of insider tip-offs fueling these assaults. These concerns are amplified by official data from Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission, which recorded at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings by armed groups between January 2024 and April 2025 alone.
The surge in mass abductions has been largely attributed to armed groups locally known as bandits, alongside insurgent activities from Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Attacks on schools, a problem that has persisted for years, have also drawn significant attention. Between April 2014 and May 2026, there were 26 major school attacks resulting in the abduction of at least 2,416 students, according to the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
Allegations of Collusion
In April 2025, the governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum, publicly alleged that informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents were embedded within the country's armed forces, political circles, and local communities. "What we need to do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly," Zulum stated during a security meeting, underscoring the perceived severity of internal betrayal.
These allegations follow a court-martial in a prior period where three Nigerian soldiers were sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in a large-scale arms and ammunition racketeering scheme. The army confirmed their guilt on charges including theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and "aiding the enemy."
Security analyst Galma pointed to potential factors contributing to such behavior, including inadequate pay for soldiers, which may breed corruption, and the possibility of some personnel holding secret allegiances to extremist groups. A serving soldier, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that instances of soldiers being "caught dealing with the other side" have occurred, but noted that such matters are frequently "hushed and dealt with internally."
Victim Accounts
Survivors of kidnappings have also shared harrowing experiences that suggest a disturbing level of cooperation. One individual, who was freed after a ransom of 57 million naira (approximately $42,000) was paid, described witnessing security personnel interacting with his captors. "They dropped us off in one location and there were security personnel who they shook hands and laughed with," he told the BBC, expressing suspicion that these officers may have received a portion of the ransom, although he lacked definitive proof.
Another victim, a farmer from Zamfara state, voiced the widespread frustration of those affected by the ongoing violence, questioning the effectiveness of security operations. "I myself know where these criminals are," he stated. "So why not deal with them completely?"
A survivor of a 30-day ordeal in late 2024 recounted hearing a helicopter land near the hidden camp where he was held captive. Initially expecting a rescue, he and others were disheartened when the helicopter departed without intervention. The repeated sounds of helicopters landing and leaving led him to suspect that the criminal gangs involved in his abduction had access to high-level logistical support, possibly through collusion with security forces.