The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has cleared the Kwara State Government of any wrongdoing following reports that armed men, allegedly linked to vigilante groups, were arrested in the state with weapons traced to the Federal Government.
The clarification followed widespread media reports claiming that a rifle issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser was recovered from suspected vigilantes in Kwara State, raising concerns and public debate over the arming of non-state actors.
In a statement issued by the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which operates under the ONSA, Mr. Abu Michael explained that the arrested individuals were not members of any illegal or socio-cultural group. He said they were vigilantes recruited and trained to support security forces as part of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the ONSA, has in some cases provided arms to trained vigilantes and auxiliary forces to assist regular security agencies in fighting terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes, especially in difficult and hard-to-reach areas.
Mr. Michael said the actions of the NCTC and other security agencies were guided by the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022. He cited Part III, Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the law, which empower the National Counter Terrorism Centre to coordinate and support law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies in the fight against terrorism across the country.
He explained that the clarification became necessary due to what he described as inaccurate and misleading reports published by some online platforms regarding the Kwara incident.
“The National Counter Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, continues to coordinate and support security agencies in countering all forms of terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.
The ONSA spokesman explained that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts involve what is known as a “hybrid approach.” This method combines the use of conventional security forces such as the military and police with trained local auxiliaries, including hunters and vigilantes.
According to him, this approach is part of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy, known as NACTEST, which guides Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent crime.
“In line with NACTEST, Nigeria’s kinetic approach includes the deployment of hybrid forces,” Mr. Michael said. “This involves the coordinated use of regular security forces and trained irregular auxiliaries to operate in difficult terrains, including forest areas.”
He noted that this strategy is especially useful in forested and rural areas where criminal groups often hide and where conventional forces may face challenges due to unfamiliar terrain.
To support his explanation, the ONSA spokesman referred to the experience in the North East, where the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) played a key role in the fight against Boko Haram.
The CJTF was made up of civilian volunteers who were trained and worked alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria to identify insurgents, gather intelligence, and support military operations.
“This approach previously guided the engagement of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North East,” he said. “The CJTF comprised trained civilian volunteers who worked alongside the Armed Forces in operations against Boko Haram.”
He added that the same model is now being used in parts of the North West and North Central regions, where banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes have become major security challenges.
According to him, these hybrid operations have recorded several successes in degrading the strength and operations of criminal and terrorist groups.
Mr. Michael said the situation in Kwara State was not different from what is happening in other parts of the country where hybrid forces are deployed.
However, he stressed that many media reports on the incident were inaccurate and failed to reflect the true nature of the operation.
“The limited public information is due to the sensitive nature of these operations,” he explained. “Details are being restricted to prevent operational compromise and to protect the safety of personnel and auxiliary forces.”
He added that releasing too much information could put ongoing operations and the lives of those involved at risk.
The ONSA strongly denied claims that the Federal Government or the Office of the National Security Adviser was conducting security operations with socio-cultural organisations or arming such groups.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government and its agencies are not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups,” Mr. Michael said.
He described claims that ONSA had provided arms to any socio-cultural organisation as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard such reports.
According to him, all vigilantes and auxiliary personnel involved in counter-terrorism operations are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after thorough background checks.
“All hybrid personnel are recruited directly by authorised agencies following due diligence,” he said. “All operations are conducted in accordance with the law and established standard operating procedures.”
He warned that careless reporting could expose sensitive information and undermine ongoing security operations.
“The media is urged to exercise responsibility, protect sensitive security information, and seek clarification through designated official spokespersons,” he said.
He added that while public awareness is important, national security concerns must be handled with care to avoid endangering lives or disrupting operations.
Nigeria has faced serious security challenges over the past decade, including terrorism in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, and violent criminal activities in parts of the North Central region.
Forested areas across states such as Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, and Kwara have been used as hideouts by armed groups, making it difficult for conventional forces to operate effectively.
As a result, security agencies have increasingly relied on local knowledge and support from trained community members, including hunters and vigilantes, who understand the terrain and local dynamics.
This approach has sparked debates among Nigerians, with some expressing concern about the risks of arming civilians, while others argue that it is necessary given the scale of insecurity.
Mr. Michael assured Nigerians that the National Counter Terrorism Centre remains committed to transparency and engagement with stakeholders.
He said the centre operates an open-door policy and is willing to engage with the media, civil society, and the public to improve understanding of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“The National Counter Terrorism Centre remains committed to deepening stakeholder understanding of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from official sources and to support security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and safety across the country.
