The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has decried that corruption remained one of the most destructive forces driving insecurity across the country.
The Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Nigeria chapter of Transparency International (TI), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said this in a statement issued Tuesday as the world marks the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day,
He expressed deep concern that despite massive investments in defence and internal security over the years, corruption within the system continues to weaken national safety and expose citizens to relentless violence.
He noted that Nigeria’s prolonged battles with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, militancy, communal clashes and organised criminal networks have been compounded by deep-rooted corruption that undermines every layer of the security architecture.
Rafsajani noted that from defence procurement to personnel recruitment, welfare administration, intelligence sharing and operational command, corruption has become entrenched in ways that directly fuel insecurity.
He added: “Security funds continue to disappear through inflated contracts, questionable procurement deals, misallocation of resources and outright diversion of money meant for operations and equipment.”
Rafsajani observed that welfare-related corruption has left frontline personnel poorly motivated, while the families of officers who die in service often receive no entitlements, eroding morale and trust within the ranks.
He decried how recruitment corruption has placed unqualified individuals in sensitive positions and pushed competent officers aside.
He stressed that the misuse of security priority, where ordinary citizens remain vulnerable while some individuals enjoy excessive security protection, reflects systemic inequality and mismanagement.