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The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has acknowledged that it provided high-grade arms to vigilante groups as part of efforts to support security agencies in combating terrorism and other criminal activities, particularly in hard-to-access terrains.
In a statement, the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), ONSA, Abu Michael, said the intervention was in line with Part III, Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
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.”
Michael made the clarification while responding to media reports surrounding an incident in Kwara State, where a rifle reportedly issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser was recovered.
He called on the media to act responsibly, safeguard sensitive security information, and seek clarification through designated official spokespersons.
According to him, “recent media reports published on some online platforms” made it necessary to clarify aspects of ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the country, “particularly in forested areas of Kwara State.”
He said, “In line with the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), Nigeria’s kinetic approach includes the deployment of hybrid forces. This involves the coordinated use of regular security forces and trained irregular auxiliaries, such as hunters and vigilante elements, to operate in difficult terrains, including forest areas.
“This approach previously guided the engagement of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the North East. The CJTF comprised trained civilian volunteers who worked alongside the Armed Forces in operations against Boko Haram.
“The same strategy currently informs hybrid deployments in parts of the North West and North Central. These operations are aimed at degrading the capabilities of bandit, criminal, and terrorist groups. This approach has yielded several successful outcomes.
“The situation in Kwara State is not different. However, media reports on the matter are inaccurate. The limited public information is due to the sensitive nature of these operations.”
He noted that details of the incident were being restricted to prevent operational compromise and to protect the safety of personnel and auxiliary forces.
