The Federal Government has denied reports suggesting that it is supplying arms to socio-cultural groups as part of its counter-terrorism efforts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abu Michael, said the reports, which circulated on some online platforms, falsely alleged that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) had armed a socio-cultural organisation in connection with security operations in forest areas of Kwara State.
The statement, which described the claims as misleading and urged the public to ignore them, added that neither the Federal Government nor any of its agencies is involved in conducting armed or kinetic operations in collaboration with socio-cultural groups.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government and its agencies are not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups. Claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser has provided arms to any socio-cultural organisation are false and should be disregarded,” the statement partly read.
Michael explained that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations are conducted in line with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, as well as the National Counter Terrorism Strategy, which allows for the use of hybrid security operations in challenging terrains.
He said the hybrid model involves collaboration between conventional security forces and trained irregular auxiliaries such as hunters and vigilante groups, who are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after due screening.
“All hybrid personnel are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies following due diligence. All operations are conducted in accordance with the law and established standard operating procedures. The public is therefore advised to disregard unverified reports that misrepresent the conduct of these operations,” he stated.
The NCTC noted that similar arrangements had previously been adopted in the North-East through the Civilian Joint Task Force during operations against Boko Haram and are currently in use in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions to combat banditry and terrorism.
“In line with the 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,” he said.
Michael added that details of such operations are often limited in the public domain because of their sensitive nature, warning that excessive disclosure could compromise ongoing missions and put personnel at risk.