•Alleges budgetary funds stolen, diverted

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

As the world observes the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in partnership with Transparency International Nigeria declared corruption as the primary driver of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

The organisation urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to prioritise transparency and accountability in the management of defence and security funds.

Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, CISLAC and Head of TI-Nigeria, made the call in a statement yesterday.

“Corruption remains one of the most destructive forces undermining Nigeria’s safety. It infiltrates every layer of our security architecture, ranging from defence procurement to personnel recruitment, intelligence operations and even frontline welfare,” Rafsanjani asserted.

He lamented that “while billions are poured into security, the shadow of corruption exposes innocent citizens to unrelenting violence.”

The organisation emphasised the need for full disclosure of the procurement processes and audited expenditure records in line with global standards.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria highlighted how long standing security challenges, ranging from terrorism to banditry, kidnapping, militancy and communal clashes, are intensified by systemic graft. The organisation detailed how inflated contracts, misallocated resources and outright diversion of security funds have depleted operational capacity.

“The disappearance of crucial security funds through corrupt practices like inflated contracts and mismanagement directly fuels insecurity,” the statement noted. It further explained that welfare-related corruption has demoralised personnel on the frontline, as many officers and their families receive little or no support, despite life-threatening service.

Equally disturbing, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria revealed, is recruitment of corruption that installs unqualified personnel into critical security roles, sidelining competent officers. This malpractice exacerbates operational inefficiencies and compromises national safety.

Rafsanjani also criticised the unequal prioritisation within security services, saying, “Ordinary citizens continue to face vulnerability and neglect, while a select few enjoy excessive protection; this systemic mismanagement deepens inequality and breeds mistrust.”

He also condemned nepotism and the manipulation of laws to unlawfully prolong security officials’ tenures, terms he labelled dangerous to national stability.

The group did not mince words on legislative oversight, as it described the National Assembly’s role as weak and inadequate in enforcing accountability. The fragmented intelligence sharing among agencies, Rafsanjani said, creates exploitable gaps for criminal networks.

“Corruption permeates routine law enforcement too,” the statement warned, citing illegal payments police officers extract at checkpoints, a practice that fosters systemic decay.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria decried what it calls a collapse of administrative justice, where impunity for failures and corrupt acts within security forces is ubiquitous. It also lambasted the government’s officials who disregard presidential directives to withdraw police from VIP protection, calling this defiance a further threat to national security. Alarmingly, the organisation accused some government actors of profiteering from insecurity by facilitating ransom deals with terrorists, favouring quick fixes over sustainable peace.

Further escalating Nigeria’s security threats is the “dangerous proliferation of small arms and light weapons,” with the country holding about 70 percent of West Africa’s illicit arms as of 2021. According to CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, the pervasive flow of weapons and terrorist financing helped propel Nigeria to rank eighth among the world’s top countries for terrorism in the 2024 Global Terrorism Index.

Addressing these compounded crises, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria demanded urgent, far-reaching reforms, saying, “Federal agencies, parliament and anti-corruption bodies must prioritise transparency in managing defence funds. We call for full disclosure of procurement processes and audited expenditure consistent with best global practices.”

The organisation advocated for stronger legislative oversight, independent audits to end contract inflation and ghost projects and strict penalties for officers involved in bribery or collusion. It also stressed improved welfare and equipment for security personnel to boost morale and operational readiness.

“Enhanced intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration are key to closing loopholes exploited by criminals,” Rafsanjani emphasised, urging protections for whistle-blowers who expose corruption within the security apparatus.

He concluded with a stark warning: “No amount of military spending or sophisticated weaponry can secure Nigeria if funds are stolen, oversight is weak, and impunity reigns. Nigerians’ safety cannot be sacrificed to corruption or politics.”

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside government and citizens to promote reforms that shore up accountability, restore trust and build a secure and just future. “Nigeria deserves no less than a secure, prosperous future and that future hinges on rooting out corruption at the heart of our security sector.”