By Muhammad Mamman
A former United States Army officer has alleged that foreign interests are providing financial and logistical backing to bandit groups operating across Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about the international dimensions of the country’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking in an interview reported by PoliticsNGR, the ex-officer claimed that the scale, coordination and sophistication of bandit attacks in parts of northern Nigeria suggest support that goes beyond local criminal networks.
According to him, the persistent flow of weapons, funding and intelligence to armed groups points to the involvement of external actors who are exploiting Nigeria’s security challenges for strategic or economic gains.
He argued that banditry in Nigeria has evolved from isolated criminal activity into a well-organised enterprise, sustained by cross-border supply chains and shadow financiers operating outside the country.
The former officer further called on Nigerian authorities to deepen intelligence cooperation with international partners and strengthen border security to disrupt what he described as “foreign-backed networks” enabling violent groups.
While he did not name specific countries or organisations, he urged the Nigerian government to treat banditry as not only a domestic security issue but also a transnational threat requiring coordinated global action.
Nigeria has for years battled widespread bandit attacks, kidnappings and rural violence, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, with thousands killed or displaced despite ongoing military operations.
As of the time of reporting, Nigerian security agencies have not officially responded to the claims.
