The Nigerian military has announced the arrest of more than 30 soldiers and police officers accused of selling weapons to rebel and terrorist groups.
According to Nigerian military spokesperson Ademola Owolana, the suspects were apprehended during an ongoing crackdown that began in August last year.
This development comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with prolonged insecurity, largely caused by armed groups including Boko Haram, which has operated in the country’s north for over 15 years.
It is reported that more than 20% of the weapons used by these militant groups are sourced from Nigerian police and military personnel.
Among those arrested are 18 soldiers, 15 police officers, and 8 civilians — including a traditional leader — all accused of involvement in the illegal arms trade.
The military also stated that investigations are ongoing across 11 Nigerian states to track down other individuals involved in the illicit weapons network.
