MAIDUGURI — Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 soldiers and 15 mobile policemen for allegedly selling arms and ammunition to non-state actors, in what is being described as one of the largest internal crackdowns on arms racketeering within Nigeria’s security forces.
This was disclosed by Major Ademola Owolana, Staff Officer Grade Two of OPHK, during a press briefing with defence correspondents in Maiduguri on the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East between 2024 and 2025.
The arrests were made under Operation Snowball, a special campaign launched in August 2024 to dismantle the illicit arms trade fueling terrorism and communal violence across 11 states, including Borno, Lagos, Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, and the FCT.
In addition to the 33 security personnel, 8 civilians — including a traditional ruler — were apprehended in connection with the illegal trade. According to Major Owolana, community pressure and the high profits associated with arms sales were the major factors driving the criminal conduct.
“Findings revealed that soldiers and policemen were coerced by their communities to provide weapons for use in local conflicts,” Owolana said, adding that greed and the financial rewards involved have sustained the illegal network.
Among the suspects, Sgt. Ameh Raphael, an armourer with the 7th Division Garrison, was found with over ₦45 million in his account, allegedly earned from years of arms sales since 2018. Similarly, Sgt. Seidi Adamu of the 3rd Division was found with ₦34 million, while a police inspector, Enoch Ngwa, reportedly had ₦135 million traced to his account through arms transactions.
Owolana emphasized the urgent need for stiffer penalties to serve as deterrents, stressing that erring personnel have been dismissed and handed over to the police for prosecution.
He also disclosed significant progress in intercepting terrorist collaborators. Between January and May 2025, OPHK arrested 186 logistics suppliers, spies, and informants across its area of operation.
The command further expressed concern over the role of drug abuse in boosting terrorist capabilities. In response, a joint effort involving the military and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is underway to dismantle narcotics supply chains. However, lack of advanced tracking technology remains a major challenge.
Owolana also accused certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of complicity, alleging that they have transported food and supplies to terrorist camps under the guise of humanitarian relief.
He cited a February 2025 incident where a soldier was caught smuggling 30 rounds of ammunition during a route check, warning that battlefield morale and national security are compromised by such insider threats.
In terms of operational gains, OPHK forces have killed 694 terrorists since January 2025, recovered over 600 weapons, and reclaimed Kukawa town after terrorists issued a mass eviction order in May 2024. Over 10,000 displaced persons have since returned to their ancestral homes due to successful stabilization operations.
On the technological front, the Nigerian Army’s Unmanned Aerial Base Command, established in 2022, has flown over 1,100 drone surveillance missions, logging over 10,000 hours in support of Operation Hadin Kai.
