Unknown gunmen, bandits stole 282 rifles from Nigerian security forces – Report

The Nigeria Police Force lost 201 rifles to terrorists, bandits and other armed groups between 2021 and mid-2026, according to a new report released by SBM Intel’s Violence Tracker.

The report, titled “Nigeria’s Stolen Rifles: Who Loses, Who Takes,” revealed that a total of 282 rifles were stolen from Nigerian security agencies in 94 separate incidents across the country during the period under review.

According to the findings, the Nigeria Police recorded the highest losses, with 201 rifles stolen, representing 71.3 per cent of the total number of weapons taken from security personnel.

The Nigerian military lost 45 rifles, accounting for 16 per cent, while unspecified security agencies recorded the loss of 15 rifles, representing 5.3 per cent.

Other security organisations, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Customs Service, lost a combined 12 rifles, while vigilante groups accounted for the remaining nine stolen weapons.

The report identified unknown gunmen as the biggest perpetrators, responsible for stealing 168 rifles, representing 59.6 per cent of the total.

Bandits were linked to the theft of 58 rifles, accounting for 20.6 per cent, while the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) was responsible for 41 rifles, representing 14.5 per cent.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was linked to the theft of nine rifles, kidnappers accounted for four, while Boko Haram was responsible for two.

Geographically, Delta State recorded the highest number of stolen rifles with 67, followed by Abia State with 51, Borno State with 40, Zamfara State with 20 and Katsina State with 11.

According to the report, Delta and Abia alone accounted for 42 per cent of all rifles stolen from security agencies during the period.

SBM Intel also noted that the pace of rifle thefts increased significantly in 2026.

Despite the losses, the report stated that security agencies recovered 1,442 rifles within the same period, suggesting that the country’s illegal arms challenge extends beyond weapons stolen from government security personnel.

The report concluded:

“Between 2021 and mid-2026, armed groups stole 282 rifles from Nigerian security forces across 94 incidents. Police lost 71 per cent of these. Delta and Abia accounted for 42 per cent of thefts, with the pace accelerating in 2026. Yet the recoveries (1,442) dwarf thefts; this is a sign that Nigeria’s illegal weapons problem goes far beyond stolen service rifles.”