ABUJA — The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has raised a fresh national security alarm, revealing that criminal syndicates are increasingly using everyday vehicles to transport high-caliber weapons and illicit drugs across the country.
Speaking on the evolving tactics of insurgents and bandits, the Minister disclosed that “innocent-looking” private SUVs, commercial buses, and delivery vans have been converted into mobile armouries and drug warehouses to evade traditional security checkpoints.
The Logistics of Terror
Security intelligence indicates that these vehicles are fitted with sophisticated hidden compartments designed to smuggle arms between major commercial hubs. This “logistics of terror” is reportedly fueling the persistent insecurity in the North and the growing drug epidemic among the youth.
A significant part of the strategy involves the use of “fake official” decals. Criminals are reportedly disguising vehicles with counterfeit military or government markings to bypass scrutiny. In response, the Ministry has placed security agencies on “Code Red,” ordering an intensification of stop-and-search operations nationwide.
Interception and Surveillance
To counter this mobile threat, the Federal Government is deploying advanced scanning technology and enhancing intelligence-gathering at key border and interstate transit points. The Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), echoed these concerns, noting that the “enemy within” often operates in plain sight, making public cooperation vital.
“This is asymmetric warfare,” Musa noted during a recent briefing, stressing that the public must report modified vehicles or suspicious loading activities in private garages.
Public Impact and Safety
The crackdown is expected to lead to increased checkpoint delays for commuters. However, authorities maintain that these rigorous checks are necessary to intercept the weapons used in highway robberies and kidnappings.
The revelation comes as the military continues to dismantle bandit networks in Zamfara and prosecute rogue security personnel caught in criminal activities. The Minister urged Nigerians to remain patient with security forces, describing the measures as a critical “reset” to consolidate national safety.
