Story written by Okafor Joseph October 6,2025

Faith Ties, Divided Allegiances Threaten Nigeria’s National Security – Ex-Air Force Officer Warns

Ayo Balogun, a retired officer of the Nigerian Air Force, has sounded the alarm over what he described as a dangerous fusion of religion, corruption, and divided loyalty within Nigeria’s security system — a mix he believes is prolonging terrorism and undermining national security.

Speaking in Abuja, Balogun told BusinessDay that Nigeria’s decade-long war against Boko Haram and other terror groups is being sustained not only by illicit funding networks but also by deep-rooted religious loyalties within the armed forces and political circles.

“Some revelations are coming out that commanders and top officials are actually selling weapons to Boko Haram. But the issue is deeper than corruption — religion has become a major factor keeping the insurgency alive,” he said.

‘Faith-Based Loyalty’ Weakening Counterterrorism Efforts

Balogun explained that the Nigerian military’s internal divisions have created an environment where religious allegiance sometimes outweighs national duty, leading to sabotage, arms diversion, and weak enforcement in the fight against insurgency.

He contrasted the Boko Haram crisis with past regional uprisings like the Niger Delta militancy, noting that economic-based conflicts can often be resolved through dialogue, training, and financial incentives, unlike faith-driven extremism.

“You can always talk your way out of economic insurgencies if you give people the right incentives. But when an insurgency is religious, it becomes a matter of conviction — no amount of money can make an indoctrinated person drop that belief,” Balogun explained.

Political and Religious Bias Complicating the War

The former officer alleged that religious sympathy among political elites and some government officials has further crippled counterterrorism operations. According to him, some leaders are reluctant to act decisively against insurgents who share their faith background.

Drawing global parallels, Balogun cited the civil wars in Sierra Leone, Congo, and Nigeria’s own Niger Delta crisis, emphasizing that those were easier to resolve because they were driven by economic grievances rather than religious ideologies.

He also praised former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s diplomatic handling of the Bakassi Peninsula dispute with Cameroon, noting that compromise and diplomacy prevented what could have been another prolonged conflict.

Foreign Funding Fuels Insurgency

Balogun further linked the persistence of Boko Haram and other extremist groups to foreign sponsorship networks, claiming that significant funding and ideological influence flow from Middle Eastern countries.

“There is clear evidence of external influence. Even the Chief of Defence Staff once admitted that the funders of religious extremism mostly come from the Middle East,” he said.

According to him, these external actors exploit Nigeria’s porous borders and weak oversight to channel weapons and radical teachings into the country.

Internal Sabotage and Arms Diversion

Balogun’s warning comes amid multiple reports of military officers caught selling arms to insurgents and bandits, confirming fears of deep internal compromise.

A soldier recently returned from Maiduguri, Borno State, disclosed that he once buried leftover ammunition to avoid suspicion, revealing a culture of mistrust and fear among troops. Another officer recounted witnessing the arrest of colleagues attempting to sell weapons to Boko Haram fighters.

Such breaches, Balogun said, represent a “dangerous betrayal of trust” that endangers the lives of soldiers and weakens Nigeria’s national defense system.

Ribadu Confirms Internal Infiltration

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had in October last year condemned the infiltration of Nigeria’s security agencies by corrupt insiders. During the destruction of seized weapons in Abuja, Ribadu noted that many of the arms used by terrorists originally belonged to the Nigerian military before being diverted by compromised officers.

“The proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains a major threat to our national security,” Ribadu said, blaming the menace on “merchants of death” within and outside the country.

Call for Military Professionalism and Neutrality

Balogun concluded by urging the armed forces to uphold professionalism, neutrality, and loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution, warning that allowing religion to influence command decisions will only prolong the insurgency.

“The only hope is for soldiers to be professional. Once a soldier allows religion to dictate his loyalty, the war is already lost,” he warned.