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 fuelling insecurity across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director and Head of TI-Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation expressed concern that despite huge investments in defence and internal security, corruption within the system continues to weaken national safety and leave citizens exposed to persistent violence.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria said Nigeria’s prolonged battles with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, militancy, communal clashes and organised crime have been worsened by entrenched corruption that “undermines every layer of the security architecture.”

It warned that corruption affects defence procurement, personnel recruitment, welfare administration, intelligence sharing and operational command in ways that directly fuel insecurity.

The organisation noted that “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 said welfare-related corruption has left frontline personnel demoralised, while families of deceased officers often receive no entitlements, further eroding trust within the ranks.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria also decried recruitment corruption, saying it has “placed unqualified individuals in sensitive positions and pushed competent officers aside.” It cautioned that the misuse of security priority, where a few individuals enjoy excessive protection while citizens remain vulnerable, reflects systemic inequality. The group also condemned nepotism and the manipulation of laws to unlawfully extend tenure in security institutions, describing it as dangerous to national stability.

The organisation raised concerns about weak National Assembly oversight and the persistent failure of government institutions to enforce accountability. It lamented poor intelligence sharing among security agencies, saying such gaps are routinely exploited by criminal networks.

It added that illegal payments collected by police officers at roadblocks to remit “returns” to superiors show how corruption has permeated routine law enforcement.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria criticised what it described as “the collapse of administrative justice,” noting that impunity persists for security failures and corruption-related misconduct. The group also faulted the widespread violation of the presidential directive withdrawing police personnel from VIPs, saying the order “has been largely disregarded.”

According to the organisation, “insecurity has now become a lucrative enterprise for certain actors in government who facilitate ransom payments and negotiations with terrorists.” It warned that these short-term arrangements undermine long-term stability and feed the criminal economy.

On the proliferation of small arms, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria said Nigeria now accounts for roughly 70 percent of illicit weapons circulating in West Africa. It further warned that concerns about terrorism financing contributed to Nigeria’s ranking as 8th among the top 10 countries most affected by terrorism in the 2024 Global Terrorism Index. The trend, it said, underscores the need for urgent reforms to prevent further national destabilisation.

The organisation called for sweeping reforms and urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to prioritise transparency in defence and security spending. It emphasised the need for full disclosure of procurement processes and audited expenditure in line with global standards.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria also pushed for stronger legislative oversight and an independent defence procurement audit mechanism to eliminate contract inflation, ghost projects and misused funds.

The group urged government to implement strict disciplinary measures for officers involved in bribery, extortion, collusion with criminals or operational compromise. It also called for improved welfare, insurance cover and adequate equipment for frontline personnel to rebuild morale.

It added that enhanced intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and whistle-blower protection are essential to closing gaps exploited by criminal organisations.

CISLAC/TI-Nigeria stressed that Nigeria cannot overcome insecurity without first tackling corruption within the security sector, saying “no volume of military spending or sophisticated equipment will deliver results if diverted funds, weak oversight and entrenched impunity continue to undermine the system.”

The organisation said the safety of Nigerians must not be compromised by corruption, political interests or institutional negligence. It reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, parliament, security agencies and citizens to strengthen accountability and rebuild public trust.

“Nigeria deserves a secure, just and prosperous future,” the organisation stated. “Such a future can only be achieved by confronting and eliminating corruption at the heart of the country’s security framework.” (THISDAY, but headline rejigged)

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