Operation Hadin Kai Uncovers Shocking Arms Racketeering: 18 Soldiers and 15 Policemen Arrested
In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves across the country, troops under Nigeria’s Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 serving soldiers and 15 mobile policemen for their alleged involvement in selling arms and ammunition to non-state actors, including terrorists and criminal gangs.
This alarming development was disclosed by Major Ademola Owolana, Staff Officer Grade Two, during a press briefing with defence correspondents in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The briefing focused on the progress of the Joint Task Force North-East (OPHK) from 2024 to 2025.
According to Owolana, these arrests were made as part of Operation Snowball, a targeted mission launched in August 2024 to crack down on the illegal trade of weapons and ammunition in Nigeria’s troubled Northeast region.
“So far, a total of 18 soldiers, 15 mobile policemen, and 8 civilians, including a traditional ruler, have been arrested,” Major Owolana revealed.
Operation Snowball: Targeting Ammunition Racketeering Across 11 States
Operation Snowball isn’t limited to the Northeast. It is a nationwide anti-arms smuggling effort that has seen operations across 11 Nigerian states, including:
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Bauchi
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Benue
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Borno
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Ebonyi
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Enugu
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Lagos
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Plateau
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Kaduna
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Rivers
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Taraba
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Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
The widespread nature of this operation shows just how far-reaching and deeply rooted arms trafficking has become in Nigeria’s security system.
According to Major Owolana, community pressures and ethnic conflicts are some of the key drivers behind the supply and demand for illegal arms.
“Preliminary findings from ongoing investigations reveal community pressure on serving security personnel to supply arms and ammunition for communal conflicts as driving factors,” he explained.
He also pointed out another key motivation behind this growing menace:
“The lucrative nature of trading in ammunition is also a driving factor for its persistence.”
Dirty Millions: Security Operatives Turn Arms Dealers
What’s perhaps most disturbing is the financial scale of the operation. Two soldiers in particular, both of whom were entrusted with overseeing the military’s weapon storage and supplies, were found with staggering amounts of money in their bank accounts.
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Sgt. Ameh Raphael, an armourer from the 7th Division Garrison, had over ₦45 million in his bank account.
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Sgt. Seidi Adamu, from the 3rd Division Ordnance Services, had ₦34 million traced to him. He reportedly started selling arms in 2022.
The situation was no different among the police force. A police inspector named Insp. Enoch Ngwa had a total of ₦135 million pass through his account, all allegedly tied to arms racketeering.
“To this end, a more stringent punishment is necessary to act as deterrent,” Major Owolana emphasized, indicating that the military is now pushing for harsher penalties to curb this corruption within its ranks.
Over 186 Terrorist Collaborators Arrested
While the arms racketeering scandal has dominated headlines, the OPHK has also made noteworthy progress in its fight against terrorism in the Northeast. Between January 2025 and now, troops have arrested over 186 individuals suspected to be logistics suppliers, spies, and collaborators working for terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
These collaborators are critical to terrorist operations, as they help with the supply of weapons, food, fuel, communication equipment, and intelligence.
Major Owolana pointed out that the ongoing success of this crackdown is due to collaboration among the Joint Intelligence Mission Centre, military intelligence units, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Drug Abuse and Terrorism: A Deadly Combination
Another concern raised during the briefing was the proliferation of drugs and narcotics, which are being used by terrorists to enhance their operational capabilities. Drug abuse is a known issue among insurgents, as it helps them remain aggressive and fearless during combat.
To tackle this, the NDLEA and military intelligence teams have intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks in the region. However, their work is being hampered by a lack of modern tools:
“A lack of tracking devices has continued to mitigate the arrest of logistic suppliers,” Owolana noted.
NGOs Under Scrutiny for Aiding Terrorists
In a surprising twist, Major Owolana also called out some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for allegedly colluding with terrorists. These NGOs, under the guise of delivering humanitarian aid, are reportedly smuggling food and chemical additives to terrorist-controlled territories.
“Some NGOs are conveying additives and food items to terrorist locations under the guise of humanitarian assistance,” he said.
This, he added, not only undermines military efforts but also prolongs the conflict and endangers civilian lives.
The Role of “Fifth Columnists” Within the Military
The issue doesn’t stop with rogue NGOs. According to Major Owolana, there are "fifth columnists"—insiders who betray their organization—within the military. These individuals deliberately divert arms from military stockpiles to terrorists, motivated purely by greed.
“A few soldiers motivated by greed are involved in ammunition racketeering, deliberately diverting arms from the military stockpiles and supply chains to terrorists,” he lamented.
He explained that these betrayals weaken battlefield morale, reduce overall troop efficiency, and strengthen the enemy’s resistance, making it harder to defeat insurgents.
A Recent Example: Caught in the Act
Owolana shared a recent example that highlights the seriousness of the issue. On February 24, 2025, a soldier from the 144 Battalion was caught with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition at a checkpoint in Tashin-Karo, Kano. He was arrested by a military police K-19 unit during a routine route search operation.
This case, he said, was just one among many.
Military Crackdown and Disciplinary Measures
To send a clear message, the Nigerian military has already begun taking strict disciplinary actions against those caught.
“Consequently, the theatre has continued to warn troops at all levels on the severe repercussions and sanctions of ammunition racketeering,” Owolana stated.
“Those found culpable have been dismissed and handed over to the police to serve as deterrent.”
These dismissals are expected to restore trust in the military and assure Nigerians that internal betrayal will not be tolerated.
Final Thoughts: The Urgent Need for Reform
The revelations from Operation Hadin Kai show just how deep corruption and criminality have crept into Nigeria’s security forces. The fact that soldiers and policemen—the very people charged with protecting us—are selling weapons to terrorists is both shocking and disheartening.
Yet, with decisive actions, increased surveillance, modern tracking systems, and severe penalties, there is hope that this dangerous trend can be reversed. Nigeria must act fast to rebuild public trust in its military and police, especially in a time where insecurity threatens national unity.
Stay with NaijaRush.com as we continue to follow this developing story and bring you in-depth coverage of the fight against terrorism and corruption in Nigeria.
