iDeemlawfulThe Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has acknowledged providing weapons to trained vigilantes and other auxiliary personnel as part of Nigeria’s counterterrorism framework. The admission followed public debate surrounding recent security activities in Kwara State.
The clarification from ONSA came in response to viral reports and videos alleging that authorities illegally armed groups operating in Kwara, claims that have been rejected by the Kwara State Government and security agencies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), an ONSA department, Abu Michael, explained that support to vigilantes was lawful and designed to assist security forces in tackling terrorism, banditry, and related criminal activities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Michael stated that the NCTC, operating under ONSA, derives its mandate from the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, which authorises coordination and support for counterterrorism efforts nationwide. He said the response followed media reports concerning the recovery of a rifle in Kwara State allegedly linked to ONSA.
“In line with the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), Nigeria’s kinetic approach includes the deployment of hybrid forces,” he said. “This involves the coordinated use of regular security forces and trained irregular auxiliaries, such as hunters and vigilante elements, to operate in difficult terrains, including forest areas.”
He noted that the approach was not unprecedented, recalling its use in the North-east where the Civilian Joint Task Force worked alongside the military during operations against Boko Haram insurgents.
“The same strategy currently informs hybrid deployments in parts of the North West and North Central. These operations are aimed at degrading the capabilities of bandit, criminal, and terrorist groups, and this approach has yielded several successful outcomes,” he added.
Addressing the Kwara situation specifically, the NCTC spokesperson said reports circulating in the media were inaccurate and misleading, adding that limited public disclosure was due to the sensitive nature of ongoing operations.
“The situation in Kwara State is not different. However, media reports on the matter are inaccurate,” he said.
Michael also dismissed claims that ONSA supplied arms to socio-cultural organisations, stressing, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government and its agencies are not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups. Claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser has provided arms to any socio-cultural organisation are false and should be disregarded.”
He emphasised that all hybrid personnel involved are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after thorough screening, and that operations are carried out “in accordance with the law and established standard operating procedures.”
The NCTC spokesperson urged the public and media organisations to ignore unverified information and refrain from publishing reports that could jeopardise security operations.
Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has heightened public concern in recent weeks, following a rise in banditry and terrorist attacks in several states. In response, President Bola Tinubu declared a national emergency on security.