Bandits and terrorists got a sizeable number of their arms and ammunition from securitymen, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has said.

Ribadu, at the destruction of seized/recovered 2,400 illicit small arms and light weapons in Abuja yesterday, expressed worry that most of such arms were sold to criminals by security personnel.

Also in Abuja, the Defence Ministry announced that the ongoing anti-terror war had moved from normal military operations to the use of drones, and advanced war technique.

Fifty new fighter jets are to be added to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet between December this year and 2026 to rev up the war against insurgents and other criminal elements in the country, Ribadu reaffirmed.

At the arms destruction by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms And Light Weapons (NCCSALW), a unit in the Office of the NSA,  Ribadu, assured that the government would do everything possible to keep the country safe and secure.

He said: “We have to find a way of putting a stop to this. We must if we want to recover our country and live in peace and stability.

“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who will take arms from his own formation and sell it or hire it out for the bad people to come and kill his own colleagues.

“We must fight these people but also there are merchants of death and evil from outside the world.

“The proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons remains a major threat to our national security, exacerbating issues such as insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes.

“We have laws that govern ownership of small arms. If you do not follow it, it is an illegal arm and it is supposed to be destroyed completely.”

The  NSA said the military and other security agencies would secure the country against the merchants of death by all means possible.

He said with the present leadership,  the country would overcome all the country’s security challenges within the shortest possible time.

“We are not going to relent. They think we are jokers. We are not, we know what we are doing. And I can assure you with the leadership we have today in our country, with the set of people in charge, we have hope.

“Just give us time. It will change. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains a major threat to our national security.  We will fight it. We will secure this country,” Ribadu added.

NCCSALW Director-General Johnson Kokumo said the challenge posed by the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) was one of the major threats to peace and security not only in the country but in  West Africa.

He said the 2,400 destroyed weapons, comprised unserviceable, decommissioned, and recovered arms.

Kokumo added: “These weapons were mopped up by the military, police and other security agencies across the country.

“By permanently removing these arms from circulation, we reduce the risk they pose to our communities and send a clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate the illegal trafficking and possession of small arms and light weapons.’’

A businessman, Michael Ogbole, has sued First City Monument Bank at a Lagos State High Court in Lagos, demanding $60,206.66 as unpaid commission for allegedly facilitating a multi-million-dollar transaction with a United States-based company, Sky Enterprise LLC.

Ogbole, in the suit, filed by Falana & Falana Chambers accususe FCMB of circumventing him in the deal.

The claimant alleged on June 2, 2016, he met with FCMB’s Group General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Ladi Balogun, to discuss how he could help the bank secure finance from Sky Enterprise, a Florida-based firm specialising in trade finance, risk, and debt management.

Following their discussion, Balogun allegedly directed him to contact FCMB’s Treasurer, Gerald Ikem, who introduced him to Nomso Ezenta, head of Structured Funding and Correspondent Banking, to coordinate the transaction.

The businessman said on September 2, 2016, he arranged a meeting between Sky Enterprise’s Global Director for Africa, Yinka Akinlabi, and FCMB at the bank’s headquarters to structure the deal.

The claimant said those present were top FCMB executives. After the meeting, the parties exchanged emails and phone calls to finalise the transaction.

However, in February 2021, the businessman discovered FCMB went ahead with the deal through Sky British, a subsidiary of Sky Enterprise, without his involvement.

He claims this was confirmed by FCMB’s Annual Report and Financial Statements of December 31, 2020.

In a letter of October 12, 2021, the businessman demanded $60,206.66, representing one per cent commission on the $6,020,660, facility secured by FCMB from Sky British. After FCMB failed to respond, another demand letter was sent on January 19, 2022. Despite these efforts, the businessman claimed FCMB has refused to pay.

FCMB, through its lawyer, Wale Olawoyin, said the suit lacks merit, admitting that in 2016, Ladi Balogun was approached by the claimant, claiming he can broker dollar loans for banks.

Subsequently, the bank said the claimant, through phone conversations, emails, and two meetings, held discussions with other FCMB executives.

The Delta State Police Command has revealed details of how a female Point of Sale (POS) operator received ₦4 million as ransom payment on behalf of kidnappers, pocketing a meagre ₦40,000 for her involvement.

Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, issued a public warning on Thursday, advising POS operators to steer clear of high-value transactions, especially those linked to criminal activities like ransom payments.

In a message shared on social media, Edafe explained that accepting payments above ₦500,000 could put operators at risk of severe legal consequences.

He pointed to the alarming case of the female operator, cautioning others that participating in such deals could lead to imprisonment before any legal defence can secure their release.

“You may think it’s just business,” Edafe said, “but you might find yourself cooling off in prison before your lawyer steps in.”

The police urged POS operators to remain vigilant, avoid being exploited by criminals, and adhere to transaction limits while reporting any suspicious activities.