A Nigerian soldier is arrested for tipping off criminals - but does it go deeper?

What the report says

BBC Africa reports that Nigeria’s army has detained Private Mohammed Yusuf over allegations that he supplied military uniforms to armed groups described by the military as “terrorist” and “criminal” organizations. Army spokesperson Mohammed Goni said Yusuf was arrested on Saturday evening at a bus stop in Maiduguri, in north-eastern Nigeria, while allegedly trying to escape across the border into Cameroon. The army says he had deserted his unit earlier in the month and had been hiding in Maiduguri with help from an associate. Yusuf has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The case has renewed public concern about possible collusion between members of the security forces and armed groups operating across Nigeria. The BBC notes that militant Islamist factions, separatists and kidnapping gangs have carried out attacks for more than a decade, and some assailants use military-style uniforms. Security analyst and retired army major Bashir Galma told the BBC that attack plans have at times appeared to reach Boko Haram or other criminal groups, suggesting insider leaks.

The report places the arrest in the context of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. Citing National Human Rights Commission data, the BBC says armed groups were linked to at least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings from January 2024 to April 2025. It also cites the International Centre for Investigative Reporting as recording 26 major school attacks and at least 2,416 abducted students between April 2014 and May 2026.

The BBC also reported earlier claims by Borno state governor Babagana Zulum that Boko Haram informants were present in the military, politics and communities. Yusuf remains in custody, and the army says investigations are continuing to establish whether others were involved.