“Did Nigeria Arm Its Own Enemy? Claims Repentant Boko Haram Members Leak Military Secrets”
By Passman Akpos
Nigeria’s prolonged war against terrorism and banditry is facing renewed scrutiny after a wave of claims suggesting that authorities may already know the identities and hideouts of many of the armed groups terrorising communities across the country.
The debate has intensified following reports of fresh military losses in Borno State, where three lieutenant colonels were recently killed during attacks that also saw military equipment seized by insurgents. The development has sparked outrage among security observers who say the tragedy raises troubling questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy.
Across the country, the human toll of insecurity continues to mount. Communities have been emptied by fear, farms abandoned, and schools shut down in areas repeatedly targeted by terrorists and bandits. Families sending their children to school often do so with silent prayers that they will return safely.
At the centre of the controversy is a disturbing question many Nigerians are now asking: if the government knows who the terrorists are and where they operate from, why are they still able to attack communities with apparent ease?
Cleric’s explosive claim
The issue resurfaced after Islamic cleric Abubakar Gumi claimed during an interview on DRTV that the Nigerian government was aware of the identities and locations of terrorists operating across the country.
The cleric, who has previously visited bandit camps in the forests of northern Nigeria as part of mediation efforts, said such trips were conducted under the watch of security agents.
His remarks triggered widespread debate online and within security circles, with critics asking why a civilian mediator could reportedly access bandit hideouts while military forces struggle to dismantle the same networks.
Governors raise similar concerns
The controversy deepened when Dauda Lawal also suggested that intelligence about bandit leaders exists.
In a viral video released in September 2025, the Zamfara governor said he could track the movements of bandit leaders across his state.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is in Zamfara State, I know it. If he goes out, I know. With my phone, I can show you where they are today,” Lawal said.
However, he noted that security operations remain largely controlled at the federal level, limiting what state governments can do directly.
Earlier, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai also stirred controversy when he alleged on national television that authorities had previously paid bandits in attempts to discourage attacks, a claim that sparked widespread criticism and calls for evidence.
Experts warn of deeper structural problemsSecurity analysts say Nigeria’s crisis may be rooted in a complex mix of structural weaknesses, porous borders and criminal economies.
During a discussion on Channels Television, security consultant Yahuza Getzo argued that the problem goes beyond intelligence gathering.Nigeria shares long and difficult-to-monitor borders with Niger, Benin, Cameroon, and Chad, creating routes that armed groups exploit for movement, trade and weapons smuggling.
“We may have the equipment and gadgets,” Getzo said, “but the question is whether we are truly holding ourselves accountable for using them effectively.”
Retired Bishop Johnson also described Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy as largely reactive.According to him, the combination of kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining has created a lucrative criminal economy that fuels armed groups.
“If you come into Nigeria and you are able to kidnap people and ransom is paid, your life changes,” Johnson said, suggesting that some attacks may even serve as diversions while illegal mining operations take place.
Sleeper cells and hidden networks
Another security expert, Tony Ofoyetan, warned that terrorism in Nigeria has evolved into a sophisticated network of sleeper cells embedded within society.
He explained that these networks can include financiers, recruiters and sympathisers who operate quietly for years while gathering intelligence about communities.
“They may appear as ordinary traders selling food in the market or running small kiosks, but they are studying the strengths and weaknesses of the community,” he said.
According to Ofoyetan, terrorist attacks are usually the final stage of a long preparation process.
Battlefield concerns
Retired naval officer Dickson Olisemelor also expressed concern about what he described as widespread awareness of bandit activities without decisive action.
He cited reports of hundreds of armed men riding motorcycles openly through communities before later carrying out kidnappings.
“In the last few days in Borno State we have lost three lieutenant colonels, their units destroyed and equipment taken away. Yet nothing significant seems to be happening,” he said.
Internal worries within the militarySome serving military officers who spoke anonymously also raised concerns about alleged intelligence leaks within security operations.
According to one officer, some former bandits who claim to have repented may have been absorbed into security structures, potentially allowing sensitive information to reach criminal groups.
He also warned that insurgents have begun deploying advanced tools such as drones and communication interception technology, sometimes leaving frontline troops at a disadvantage.
A question still unanswered
For millions of Nigerians living in fear across the country’s conflict-prone regions, the debate among clerics, governors and security experts offers little immediate comfort.
Along highways in northern Nigeria, travellers still move with the constant fear of kidnapping. In remote villages, farmers cultivate their land while listening for the sound of approaching motorcycles. Parents send their children to school hoping the day will end without tragedy.
Yet the haunting question continues to echo across the nation: if the authorities know the criminals and where they hide, why does the violence continue?
Until that question is answered with decisive action, many Nigerians fear the country’s long war against terror may remain trapped in a painful cycle of grief, anger and uncertainty.
