UN Anti-Corruption Day:CISLAC/TI-Nigeria Says Corruption Deepening Insecurity Across Nigeria
By Abdullahi Yusuf
As the world marks the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International (TI), has warned that corruption remains one of the most destructive forces driving insecurity across the country.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of TI-Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation expressed deep concern that despite massive investments in defence and internal security over the years, corruption within the system continues to weaken national safety and expose citizens to relentless violence.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria noted that Nigeria’s prolonged battles with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, militancy, communal clashes and organised criminal networks have been compounded by deep-rooted corruption that undermines every layer of the security architecture.
The organisation explained that from defence procurement to personnel recruitment, welfare administration, intelligence sharing and operational command, corruption has become entrenched in ways that directly fuel insecurity.
According to the organisation, security funds continue to disappear through inflated contracts, questionable procurement deals, misallocation of resources and outright diversion of money meant for operations and equipment.
It observed that welfare-related corruption has left frontline personnel poorly motivated, while the families of officers who die in service often receive no entitlements, eroding morale and trust within the ranks.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria further highlighted how recruitment corruption has placed unqualified individuals in sensitive positions and pushed competent officers aside.
It said misuse of security priority, where ordinary citizens remain vulnerable while some individuals enjoy excessive security protection, reflects systemic inequality and mismanagement. The organisation also condemned entrenched nepotism and situations where officials manipulate laws to unlawfully extend tenure in security institutions, describing such practices as dangerous to national stability.
The statement also raised concerns over weak oversight from the National Assembly and the persistent failure of government institutions to ensure accountability in the security sector. It noted that the lack of collaboration and intelligence sharing among security agencies continues to create loopholes exploited by criminal groups.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria added that illegal payments made by police officers at roadblocks to remit returns to superiors illustrate how corruption has permeated routine law enforcement.
The organisation lamented what it described as the collapse of administrative justice, where impunity persists for security failures and corruption-related misconduct.
It also criticised the widespread violation of the presidential directive withdrawing police personnel from VIPs, noting that the directive has been largely disregarded.
According to CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, insecurity has now become a lucrative enterprise for certain actors in government who facilitate ransom payments and negotiations with terrorists, prioritising short-term fixes over lasting solutions.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria highlighted the intense proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, warning that this has become a major driver of insecurity.
It recalled that in 2021, the country was estimated to house roughly 70 percent of illicit arms and weapons in West Africa. The organisation noted that growing concerns about the financing of terrorist activities within the country have contributed to Nigeria being ranked 8th among the top 10 countries with the highest levels of terrorism in the 2024 Global Terrorism Index.
This alarming trend, it said, underscores the urgent need for both security sector reforms and anti-corruption measures to prevent further destabilisation.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria called for urgent and comprehensive reforms, urging the Federal Government, National Assembly, security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to prioritise transparency and accountability in the management of defence and security funds.
“The organisation emphasised the need for full disclosure of procurement processes and audited expenditure records in line with global standards.
It stressed the importance of stronger legislative oversight to ensure that security budgets and operational performance are independently reviewed. CISLAC/TI-Nigeria also advocated for an independent defence procurement audit system to end contract inflation, ghost projects and misuse of funds.
The organisation urged government to implement far-reaching security sector reforms that include strict disciplinary measures for officers involved in bribery, extortion, collusion with criminal networks or any form of operational compromise.
It also called for improved welfare, insurance and equipment for frontline personnel to rebuild morale and operational effectiveness.
Furthermore, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria underscored the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation to eliminate gaps exploited by criminal organisations.
It also called for the protection of whistle-blowers to encourage the reporting of corruption within the security and defence sector.
The organisation maintained that Nigeria cannot overcome insecurity without first addressing corruption within the security sector.
It emphasised that no volume of military spending or sophisticated equipment will deliver results if diverted funds, weak oversight and entrenched impunity continue to undermine the system.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria affirmed that the safety of Nigerians must not be compromised by corruption, political interests or institutional negligence. It reiterated its commitment to working with government, parliament, security agencies and citizens to champion reforms that will enhance accountability, strengthen national security and rebuild public trust.
Nigeria, the organisation said, deserves a secure, just and prosperous future. It added that such a future can only be achieved by confronting and eliminating corruption at the heart of the country’s security framework.