Insecurity: Panic as bandits escalate attacks, switch from rifles to rocket launchers

Nigeria’s decade-long security crisis has taken a worrying turn, with daredevil bandits now wielding increasingly sophisticated weapons, including rocket launchers.

On October 2, the Sokoto State Police Command announced the recovery of at least two rocket launchers and other dangerous weapons from armed bandits who attacked Tsabre Village in Isa Local Government Area.

DAILY POST reports that the development has heightened concerns across the country as the assailants continue to wreak havoc, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, where several people have been killed, while others have been kidnapped for ransom.

For years, bandits have relied largely on assault rifles and other firearms to attack villages, places of worship, ambush security operatives, abduct residents and demand ransom payments from victims’ families.

However, reports that bandits are gaining access to more powerful weapons, such as rocket launchers, have raised fresh questions about the sources of their arms, their supply networks and the potential implications for military operations against them.

How do bandits get weapons?

There have been reports alleging that helicopters are being used to transport arms to forests, particularly in the North-West, where bandits have continued to terrorise residents.

In 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari declared a no-fly zone over Zamfara State in a bid to prevent the movement of arms and other supplies to bandits operating within the state and its neighbouring states.

Despite the measure, disturbing videos later emerged showing helicopters landing in remote forest locations where non-state actors were reportedly present, raising concerns about the possible movement of weapons and other supplies to armed groups.

Security experts have also maintained that the smuggling of weapons into the country remains a major challenge due to Nigeria’s vast and porous borders, particularly those it shares with the Republic of Niger.

Over the years, powerful individuals involved in illegal gold mining have been accused of sponsoring insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, allegedly to facilitate the exploitation of the region’s mineral resources.

In March 2021, a repentant bandit who granted an interview reportedly implicated government officials, alleging that the authorities were aware of how the armed groups acquired their weapons.

There are also reports that military officers and commanders sell arms and ammunition meant for Nigeria’s war against terrorism and banditry to the assailants.

In October 2025, a suspected arms dealer identified as 30-year-old Nigerien national, Shehu Ali Kachalla narrated how military personnel provided armed escorts and protection for his illicit weapon deliveries to bandit groups operating in northern Nigeria.

Kachalla was arrested by the Zamfara State Police Command in a joint operation with the Federal Intelligence Bureau and the Special Tactical Squad.

During his parade and interrogation, he confessed to smuggling more than 450 rifles and 8,000 rounds of ammunition from the Republic of Niger into Nigeria and selling them to bandit groups in Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states.

He said the weapons were transported in convoys that crossed porous border areas and that “military men usually escort and cover him” during these deliveries.

According to him, the protection included armed soldiers riding alongside the convoys and providing security against rival gangs, customs officials and anti-smuggling patrols.

Ransom empowers bandits to acquire dangerous weapons

The ill-gotten wealth amassed through ransom payments has also financially empowered bandits to acquire more sophisticated and dangerous weapons.

According to an intelligence report by SBM, at least N7.78 billion was paid in ransom to kidnappers across Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, during which 7,825 people were kidnapped.

The report indicated that about N22.856 billion was demanded by the assailants as a condition for releasing their victims during the period, while N7.78 billion was reportedly paid.

Recently, parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, members abducted in Imo State claimed that they paid N6 million each to secure the release of the abductees.

Although security agencies said the prospective corps members were rescued during an operation, one of the parents, Alirat Wahab, narrated in an interview with News Central TV how her family borrowed money and received contributions from relatives and other individuals to raise the N6 million allegedly demanded by the kidnappers for her son’s release.

Wahab claimed that the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each of the abducted prospective corps members before reducing the amount after the parents pleaded with them.

According to experts, such payments have significantly strengthened the financial capacity of criminal elements to acquire more sophisticated weapons, enabling them to continue wreaking havoc across the country.

Corps members fear abduction

Nigerian youths undertaking the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps programme have become targets of bandits, who abduct them and demand ransom for their release.

DAILY POST reports that between August and October 2026, no fewer than 36 serving and prospective corps members were abducted in separate attacks.

On August 26, at least 16 corps members returning from their orientation camp in Bayelsa State were attacked and abducted by bandits in Kogi State.

The abductors demanded a huge sum of money for their release, but the victims were later rescued by security operatives through intelligence-led operations.

Similarly, on October 1, about 20 prospective corps members travelling from the South-West to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.

Although there are conflicting reports about whether ransom was paid before their release, the prospective corps members regained their freedom on October 7.

A corps member, who identified herself simply as Mary, told DAILY POST in Abuja that corps members no longer feel comfortable wearing their khaki uniforms because of the fear of being kidnapped by bandits.

“Before now, I used to see corps members travelling in their khaki uniforms, especially their headgear, because they wanted to be identified as corps members. But the situation has changed now.

“Even within Abuja, not everyone can freely move around in khaki because you don’t know what may happen next.

“I don’t even wear it when I’m going for our Community Development Service (CDS). I just put it inside my bag and change into it immediately I reach the venue. When we are done, I change again.

“I have been longing to travel home, but because of what is happening, I will remain in the city until I’m done serving,” she said.

Fight against banditry must start from the top — Security expert

A retired Superintendent of Police, SP Desmond Omale, told DAILY POST that the fight against banditry and terrorism might never yield positive results as long as it remained confined to the forests.

According to him, the “main bandits and terrorists are not in the bush; they are somewhere using private jets and enjoying the proceeds of the crime.

“Wherever there is gold or any other important mineral resource, you will see bandits controlling communities there. Go to the mining site and ask one of the miners, ‘Who are you mining for?’

“There is always someone they are mining for. Are you going to say that the government does not know these individuals? In some cases, are governors not benefiting from the mining?

“You don’t arm people and expect them not to use the weapons. The same thing applies to what our politicians are doing. An election is coming, and they are empowering many thugs with arms.

“What happens to the arms when the elections are over? Of course, the politicians will stop paying them, and they will have to find their own ways of making a living using the arms.

“Our leaders are still the problem. We can’t tackle this security issue from the grassroots; it has to start from the top, unless we want to continue to deceive ourselves.

“Military personnel, police officers and other security operatives are dying every day just because of some people’s greed.”

Insecurity: Panic as bandits escalate attacks, switch from rifles to rocket launchers