The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has admitted to providing arms to trained vigilantes and other auxiliary forces as part of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy.
The acknowledgement was made following public controversy over security operations in Kwara State.
The latest clarification by ONSA came following the viral reports and videos alleging that government authorities illegally equipped armed groups operating in Kwara, claims that have been denied by the Kwara State Government and security agencies.
According to a statement by the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), an arm of ONSA, Abu Michael, said the support to vigilantes was lawful and aimed at assisting security forces to counter terrorism, banditry and related crimes, especially in difficult terrains.
Michael said the NCTC, acting under the ONSA, was empowered by the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, to coordinate and support counter-terrorism efforts nationwide. He explained that the statement was in response to 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
According to him, the approach was not new as a similar model was adopted 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.
Speaking on the issue in Kwara, the NCTC spokesperson stated that media reports on the issue were inaccurate and misleading, stressing that limited public information 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 denied the reports that ONSA supplied arms to socio-cultural groups, saying, “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 noted that all hybrid personnel involved in such operations are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after due diligence, and operations are conducted “in accordance with the law and established standard operating procedures.”
NCTC spokesperson called on the public and the media to disregard unverified reports and to avoid publishing information that could compromise security operations.
