Outrage as Tinubu’s NSA Confirmed Supplying Modern Weapons to Miyetti Allah Vigilantes
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Public outrage has intensified across Nigeria following confirmation from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) that modern weapons were supplied to a vigilante group linked to Miyetti Allah, after armed men were arrested in Kwara State with sophisticated firearms.
The development has sparked nationwide controversy, coming amid long-standing public concerns over insecurity, the proliferation of illegal arms, and allegations involving Fulani herdsmen in violent attacks across several states.
Ejes Gist News reports that the confirmation by the NSA’s office sharply contradicted earlier denials by government officials, further fuelling distrust and anger among citizens.
How the Controversy Began
The controversy followed the arrest of armed men in Kwara State who were found in possession of modern firearms during a security operation.
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During interrogation, the suspects reportedly claimed that the weapons were supplied by government officials for use as part of a vigilante arrangement. The men were identified as members of a local security group associated with Miyetti Allah, an umbrella body widely known to represent Fulani herders.
Initial reactions from state and federal officials dismissed the claims, with authorities denying that any government institution had armed non-state actors.
However, the narrative shifted dramatically after the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed that the weapons were issued under a vigilante framework aimed at combating banditry and rural insecurity.
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In a statement, the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), ONSA, Mr Abu Michael, said the intervention was in line with Part III, Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as National Security Adviser on June 19, 2023.
He explained that the NCTC, operating under the ONSA, “continues to coordinate and support law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in countering all forms of terrorism in Nigeria.”
NSA’s Confirmation Triggers Backlash
The admission by the NSA’s office that the vigilantes were armed under official authorization triggered widespread condemnation, particularly on social media and civic platforms.
Many Nigerians questioned the wisdom of arming a group linked to Miyetti Allah, especially given repeated allegations by communities and security analysts that Fulani herdsmen have been involved in kidnappings, armed robberies, and communal violence in several parts of the country.
Critics argued that the confirmation validated long-held fears that non-state actors were being empowered with military-grade weapons without adequate transparency or public oversight.
Government’s Position and Justification
Sources within the security establishment explained that the arming of the vigilantes was part of a broader community security initiative, designed to support overstretched conventional security forces in tackling banditry and rural crime.
According to officials, the individuals were vetted and deployed as local vigilantes, not as representatives of any ethnic or socio-cultural organisation.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), operating under the NSA’s office, later issued clarifications, insisting that arms were not supplied to Miyetti Allah as an organisation, but to vetted individuals operating under lawful security arrangements.
Despite the clarification, public reaction remained largely hostile, with many Nigerians describing the explanation as inadequate and evasive.
Nigerians React Strongly on Social Media
Reactions on X (formerly Twitter) were swift and intense, with users expressing disbelief, anger, and fear over the implications of the revelation.
Posts reacting to the development, including commentary linked to @FinPlanKaluAja1, framed the incident as confirmation that individuals widely perceived as Fulani herdsmen were being officially armed by the state.
Several commentators argued that the distinction between “vigilantes” and “Fulani herdsmen” was merely semantic, insisting that in practical terms, the armed individuals remained non-state actors with ethnic affiliations.
Common sentiments expressed online included:
- Accusations that the federal government was institutionalising insecurity
- Claims that arming vigilantes could worsen ethnic tensions
- Fears that such weapons could be diverted for criminal use
- Demands for full disclosure of the rules governing the arms distribution
Some users warned that the decision could undermine trust in the government’s ability to act as a neutral guarantor of security for all Nigerians.
Allegations of Double Standards in Security Policy
A recurring theme in public reactions was the perception of double standards in Nigeria’s security policy.
Several commentators questioned why community self-defence groups in other regions have faced disarmament, arrests, or outright bans, while vigilantes linked to Miyetti Allah were reportedly armed with modern weapons.
Others pointed to past incidents where local security outfits were labelled illegal or accused of threatening national unity, arguing that the current situation exposed inconsistency in enforcement and policy direction.
Concerns Over Proliferation of Arms
Security experts and civil society groups warned that the incident could accelerate the proliferation of small arms, a problem Nigeria has struggled with for decades.
Analysts noted that once weapons leave formal security armouries, tracking and accountability become significantly more difficult, raising the risk of diversion to criminal networks.
They also cautioned that arming vigilantes without clear legislative backing or public accountability frameworks could weaken the monopoly of force traditionally reserved for the state.
Kwara Arrests Deepen Public Anxiety
The fact that the controversy originated from arrests in Kwara State has heightened public anxiety, given the state’s strategic location between northern and southern Nigeria.
Residents and commentators expressed fears that similar vigilante arrangements could be replicated elsewhere, potentially leading to uneven security outcomes and increased mistrust between communities.
Some community leaders argued that rather than strengthening security, such measures could provoke reprisals or vigilantism by other groups who may feel excluded or threatened.
Calls for Presidential Intervention
In response to the outrage, many Nigerians have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly.
Demands include:
- A full, independent investigation into the arming of vigilantes
- Public disclosure of the legal framework authorising the weapons
- Clear guidelines on community security initiatives nationwide
- Assurance that no ethnic or socio-cultural group receives preferential treatment
Several commentators stressed that silence or delayed action could deepen public mistrust and fuel conspiracy theories surrounding national security decisions.
Broader Implications for National Security
The episode has reopened debate over Nigeria’s reliance on non-state security actors amid persistent insecurity.
While proponents argue that vigilantes provide critical local intelligence and manpower, critics insist that such arrangements blur the line between lawful security operations and armed militias.
The controversy surrounding Miyetti Allah vigilantes has further complicated this debate, given the organisation’s controversial public image and past statements on grazing conflicts and rural violence.
What Nigerians Are Demanding
Across platforms, Nigerians have consistently demanded:
- Transparency from the NSA’s office
- Consistent security policy across regions
- Accountability for officials who authorised the arms
- Protection for all communities, regardless of ethnicity
Many have warned that failure to address these concerns decisively could erode confidence in the federal government’s security strategy.
As of the time of reporting, the federal government has not announced any reversal of the policy or disciplinary action related to the arms supply.
Investigations into the Kwara arrests are reportedly ongoing, while public debate continues to dominate national discourse.
For many Nigerians, the incident has become a symbol of deeper anxieties about insecurity, governance, and the role of the state in regulating the use of force.
Our Sources:
NSA’s Office Admits Supplying Arms To Vigilantes
NSA Confirmed Providing Modern Weapons to Miyetti Allah Vigilantes
Conflicting Accounts On Kwara Arms Show ‘Dangerous Sabotage,’ Security Cover-Up
