The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a serving personnel over the alleged diversion and illegal sale of service rifles.

The development was disclosed by the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, during a briefing with journalists in Abuja on Friday.

Afolabi said the suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested following an investigation by the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), headed by Commander Dandaura Appollos.

According to him, the personnel allegedly removed an AK-47 rifle from his duty post after completing his shift, instead of returning the weapon to the armoury.

The NSCDC spokesperson said the suspect concealed the rifle in two polythene bags, abandoned his duty post without authorisation and transported the weapon to Otukpo, Benue State.

He allegedly delivered the AK-47 to an individual in Otukpo under a prior arrangement for N700,000.Afolabi said the buyer subsequently resold the rifle to an alleged illicit arms dealer identified as IBB for N800,000.

The spokesperson added that the principal suspect allegedly attempted to conceal the disappearance of the weapon when questioned and tried to sign out another rifle.

He said the intelligence team eventually apprehended the suspects and recovered the AK-47 through covert tracking, surveillance and tactical interrogation.

NSCDC uncovers diversion of G3 riflesAfolabi also disclosed that the CG’s SIS uncovered the alleged systematic diversion of two G3 rifles from an NSCDC armoury in Adamawa State between 2018 and 2024.

He said the investigation involved a personnel who allegedly participated in the illegal activities while serving as head of the armoury in the Adamawa Command.

According to him, the senior officer allegedly removed the two rifles from the armoury without authorisation and sold them to junior personnel in separate transactions for N210,000 and N220,000.

The rifles were later allegedly resold to a civilian.The NSCDC spokesperson further alleged that the officer falsified weekly armoury records to conceal the disappearance of the weapons.

He explained that after the available firearms were physically counted, the serial numbers of the missing rifles were allegedly handwritten into the armoury register to create the impression that the weapons were still in the store.

NSCDC orders prosecution of suspectsAfolabi said the investigation by the CG’s SIS exposed the alleged pattern of diversion and resulted in the recovery of confessional and other pieces of evidence from key actors.

He said the development formed part of the NSCDC’s renewed efforts to strengthen accountability in the management of firearms and prevent service weapons from getting into the hands of criminals.

According to him, internal disciplinary procedures against the affected personnel have been concluded.

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, has consequently directed the Directorate of Legal Services to commence legal proceedings against all suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction.

The corps said the investigation underscores its determination to tighten armoury controls and hold personnel accountable for the misuse or diversion of government-issued firearms.