Nigerian soldier arrested in Maiduguri over alleged supply of uniforms to armed groups

A Nigerian soldier has been arrested in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri over allegations that he supplied military uniforms to terrorist and criminal groups. Military spokesperson Mohammed Goni said Private Mohammed Yusuf was detained on Saturday evening at a bus stop in the city. The army says he had deserted his unit earlier this month and was trying to flee across the border into neighbouring Cameroon.

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According to the military, Yusuf had previously been stationed at a factory for army equipment before going into hiding in Maiduguri with the help of an associate. He has not publicly commented on the allegations. The arrest was announced the following day, and the army has not said whether any other suspects have been detained in connection with the case.

The case has drawn attention because it comes amid long-running insecurity in Nigeria, where armed groups have carried out attacks for more than a decade. These groups include militant Islamists, separatists and gangs that kidnap civilians for ransom. Some of them are known to use military-style uniforms deceptively, which has fuelled concern that access to official kit could help them operate more effectively.

The arrest has also revived questions about possible collusion between criminal networks and security personnel. A security analyst and retired army major, Bashir Galma, said it was not unreasonable to believe some groups are being assisted by military personnel. He said there have been instances in which plans for attacks have reached Boko Haram or other criminal gangs, suggesting the possibility of insider tip-offs.

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Those claims have not been independently verified in the material provided. The broader security picture remains severe. Data from Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission records at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings by armed groups between January 2024 and April 2025.

The surge in mass abductions has been linked to bandits, as well as insurgent attacks by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Iswap. Attacks on schools have also continued, with the issue persisting for years. What remains unclear is whether the allegations against Yusuf are part of a wider supply network or an isolated case.

The army has not released further details about the investigation, and it is not known whether the suspect has legal representation. The next developments to watch are any formal charges, any evidence linking him to armed groups, and whether the case prompts wider scrutiny of military discipline and internal security controls.

#Nigeria #Maiduguri #Nigerianarmy #militaryuniforms #armedgroups

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