Private Mohammed Yusuf, a soldier in Nigeria's armed forces, was arrested at a bus stop in Maiduguri after allegedly attempting to cross the border into Cameroon. Military spokesperson Mohammed Goni confirmed the arrest, adding that Yusuf had previously deserted his unit and hidden in the city with the help of an associate.
Allegations of collaboration with criminal groups
Yusuf had been stationed at a factory responsible for manufacturing army equipment. The army claims he was trying to sell uniforms to armed groups, including those labeled as 'terrorist' and 'criminal'. His arrest has brought renewed attention to the possibility that military personnel may be providing support to these groups. Security analyst Bashir Galma, a retired army major, told BBC Africa that some of the recent attacks and abductions may be linked to insider cooperation.
Data from the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission reveals serious numbers: at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 deaths occurred between January 2024 and April 2025. The International Centre for Investigative Reporting also recorded 26 major school attacks in a decade, leading to the abduction of at least 2,416 students. Officials estimate that ransoms collected amount to millions of dollars every year.
Reports of internal collusion
A soldier currently serving in the army, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed to BBC Africa that there are documented cases of personnel cooperating with criminal groups. However, he noted that these incidents are often not addressed publicly and are instead dealt with internally within the ranks.
One man, who was released after his family paid 57 million naira in ransom ($42,000; £31,000), described an unsettling moment during his release. He saw security personnel shaking hands and laughing with the kidnappers, which made him suspect they were involved in the operation. Though he has no definitive proof, he believes some of the money may have gone to the guards.
Yahuza Isa, a farmer from Zamfara state who was kidnapped, questioned why authorities have not taken more decisive action against the groups responsible for these crimes. Another victim, who spent 30 days in captivity in late 2024, described hearing a helicopter land repeatedly near his blindfolded location. He believed the helicopter was from the Nigerian Air Force at first, but the repeated landings without a rescue made him think there was some form of collaboration at a higher level.
Demands for stronger intelligence and action
In 2025, Borno state governor Babagana Zulum said during a security meeting that he had evidence of informants and collaborators for Boko Haram within the military and other government institutions. He called for the need to enhance intelligence and to 'deal with them ruthlessly' to end the threat these groups pose to the nation.
Following Zulum’s remarks, a court-martial convicted three soldiers for involvement in a major weapons trafficking case. The soldiers were found guilty of theft, illegal arms trade, and aiding the enemy, according to an official army statement. Their case shows that the military is beginning to take action against those suspected of corruption and collusion.
According to security expert Abdullahi Abdullahi, the problem of armed groups is not limited to the military. He stated that civilian informants are also aiding these groups, making it difficult to end the cycle of violence. This ongoing support, he believes, is why the issue has persisted for so long.
