Nigeria found itself once again locked in a fierce tug-of-war between chaos and control, where intelligence, courage, and international cooperation wrestled relentlessly against insurgency, banditry, and political subversion.
From Borno to Zamfara, Abuja to Saudi Arabia, May 2025 unfolded like a geopolitical thriller, marked by harrowing losses, unexpected wins, and a chilling reminder that the war on insecurity and corruption is far from over.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) remained central in Nigeria’s defense architecture, confronting both domestic and transnational threats. May, however, tested its limits. Just as the nation braced for the rainy season, Boko Haram launched a brutal offensive in Borno, overrunning a military base, killing patriotic soldiers, and looting armoury stockpiles. In Zamfara, bandits unleashed yet another reign of terror, sweeping through communities and leaving behind a trail of death, trauma, and devastation.
In response, the federal government, under the leadership of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, mounted a spirited counteroffensive. In Taraba, troops recovered over 1,000 rustled cattle and neutralised two bandits, offering a flicker of hope amid despair. More strategically, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to launch a national Forest Guard initiative was widely welcomed as a forward-thinking move to cut insurgents off from their hideouts.
Amidst this push, stakeholders such as the Centre for Crisis Communication have urged the federal government to ensure the new 130,000-strong Forest Guard Corps are adequately trained and equipped before deployment. The call reflects a national consensus that strategy must be backed by structure and support to succeed.
In a significant breakthrough, Nigerian intelligence operatives, in collaboration with their Saudi Arabian counterparts, tracked and arrested the wife and mother of notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aliero during a pilgrimage in the Holy Land. That Aliero brazenly flew his family abroad while terrorising communities at home was not only criminal but deeply symbolic. His undoing served as a testament to Nigeria’s foreign intelligence capability, demonstrating that the country’s security networks are not only active but respected by international partners.
This collaboration with Saudi Arabia reinforces the importance of global partnerships, particularly those Nigeria maintains with the United Kingdom and the United States. In the modern security landscape, where threats range from terrorism to cybercrime, international cooperation is not a luxury but a lifeline.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) maintained a high profile throughout the month. On one hand, it was commended for its coordination during high-profile court proceedings involving IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, even as calls for fairness and due process echoed from human rights circles. Yet, controversy arose when DSS operatives reportedly arrested an Edo-based activist over plans to organise a protest in support of Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traore. Civic groups quickly condemned the move, warning against criminalising expressions of pan-African solidarity.
Further intensifying the month’s political intrigue, news broke that the DSS had filed a case against political economist Pat Utomi over an alleged plan to form a “shadow government.” While Utomi and his allies argued that the idea was a harmless political concept, others interpreted it as a veiled challenge to President Tinubu’s constitutional mandate. As is often the case in security affairs, the truth remains obscured in the murky middle.
Elsewhere, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grabbed public attention with a series of high-profile actions. May opened with the dramatic arrest of controversial online activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, followed by the questioning of socialite E-Money, actress Iyabo Ojo, and comedian AY over alleged naira mutilation. While the Commission defended its actions as part of a deterrence campaign to uphold currency integrity, critics were quick to dismiss the move as selective activism and publicity-driven enforcement.
The EFCC’s perceived sluggishness on weightier corruption cases involving figures like Betta Edu and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello further fueled public skepticism. Many began to wonder: are we witnessing a genuine war on graft or merely a performative spectacle?
Nonetheless, the commission achieved some notable successes. It recovered significant sums from the CBEX fraud case and handed over 750 duplexes to the Ministry of Housing—an act that showed real assets, not just headlines, are being reclaimed from looters. But the deeper concern persists: as the 2027 elections approach, the EFCC must resist the temptation to act as a political tool. The public is watching—and so is history.
In contrast, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) continued its quieter, methodical approach. While it may not dominate the news cycle, the ICPC intensified its efforts through partnerships and grassroots engagements. In May, it collaborated with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and schools across Osun state to promote transparency and anti-corruption values. The agency also joined forces with professional associations and government bodies to amplify its preventive campaigns.
A notable enforcement action involved dragging Access Bank to court over an alleged money laundering case, signaling that the ICPC is willing to hold even powerful financial institutions accountable. Furthermore, the commission reiterated its commitment to recovering proceeds of crime stashed overseas, pledging to work with international bodies to trace and return stolen assets for national development. While its pace may seem slower, the ICPC’s systemic, long-term approach could yield deeper institutional reforms.
Now in June, the stakes remain high. It is imperative for ONSA, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, and all relevant security agencies to stay alert, remain ethical, and remain unwavering in their pursuit of justice. The real question is no longer who is fighting—but who is willing to finish the fight.
Haroon Aremu Abiodun, author, PRNigeria fellow, writes via exponentumera@gmail.com