ONSA denies supplying arms to Miyetti Allah to fight banditry

The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has dismissed reports claiming that the ONSA supplied weapons to a socio-cultural organisation to combat banditry.

The centre was responding to online reports alleging that a member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association arrested in Kwara State was found with a rifle purportedly issued by the ONSA for security operations in the state.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its Head of Strategic Communications, Abu Michael, the NCTC said the Federal Government and its agencies do not carry out kinetic operations with socio-cultural groups, contrary to claims circulating online.

The statement explained that under Part III, Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, the NCTC is mandated to coordinate and support law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in countering terrorism and related threats nationwide.

It noted that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, as outlined in the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), includes the deployment of hybrid forces. This approach combines regular security forces with trained irregular auxiliaries—such as hunters and vigilante groups—to operate in challenging environments, including forested areas.

According to the NCTC, this model previously guided the engagement of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the North East, where trained civilian volunteers worked alongside the Armed Forces in the fight against Boko Haram.

The same strategy, it said, currently informs operations in parts of the North West and North Central aimed at degrading bandit, criminal and terrorist networks.

The centre stressed that all hybrid personnel are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after due diligence, and that operations are conducted strictly in line with the law and established standard operating procedures.

Addressing the situation in Kwara State, the NCTC said media reports on the matter were inaccurate.

It added that limited public information was due to the sensitive nature of ongoing operations, noting that details are restricted to avoid compromising security efforts and to protect personnel and auxiliary forces.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government and its agencies are not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups,” the statement said.

“Claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser has provided arms to any socio-cultural organisation are false and should be disregarded.”

The NCTC urged Nigerians to ignore unverified reports that misrepresent security operations and advised the media to act responsibly by safeguarding sensitive information and seeking clarification from designated official spokespersons.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement in strengthening public understanding of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.