The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has made a striking accusation: recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria, the party claims, are not solely the result of external insurgent aggression, but are being aided by internal saboteurs who collaborate with external forces to undermine national security. The allegation raises serious questions about institutional loyalty and sabotage at the heart of Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Issuing the statement on 22 November 2025, the Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, spoke of “clear signs of internal compromise rather than mere operational lapse.” He argued that certain terror strikes, which continue to hit despite intelligence warnings and heightened security protocols, reflect insider involvement. According to him, “terrorists striking soft targets with accurate knowledge of troop movement is not coincidence.”
Oladejo further asserted that the precision of multiple attacks suggests they were executed with internal guidance and logistics, not just by adversaries operating from a distance. “Someone on the inside is feeding them information,” he charged, emphasizing that the sophistication of recent attacks cannot be solely attributed to security failures on the part of the government.
The Lagos APC went a step further, suggesting that weakening of Nigeria’s security architecture has been deliberate. According to Oladejo, certain individuals, “sworn to protect the nation,” may have opened calculated vulnerabilities that terrorist organizations are exploiting. “These are not operational lapses. These are calculated openings … created by insiders,” he said.
In a damning tone, Oladejo claimed some politicians are repeating terrorist propaganda, effectively acting as unofficial allies to extremists by sowing doubt and “dampening national morale.” He promised that those complicit in “sabotaging national security” would be exposed, underscoring the APC’s commitment to rooting out internal betrayal.
The party also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s Armed Forces, praising their bravery despite what it called “betrayals by a few bad eggs.” According to the APC, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready to pursue intelligence-led counterterrorism aggressively, targeting both terrorists and collaborators.
Impact & Repercussions
If even partially accurate, the APC’s allegations could drastically reshape Nigeria’s security landscape. Confirmed insider collusion would mean that terrorist groups are not only fighting against the Nigerian state from outside, but are also benefiting from internal networks of betrayal. That would not only complicate counterterrorism efforts but challenge the very trust that underpins civil-military cooperation.
For security agencies, the allegation puts them under pressure to tighten internal vetting, improve counterintelligence protocols, and re-evaluate how they share information across agencies. If insiders are indeed facilitating attacks, then existing intelligence flows could be compromised.
Politically, the APC’s claims could fuel partisan tensions. Opponents may argue the accusation is a deflection or a political narrative designed to shift blame. Conversely, the ruling party could intensify its narrative about national unity, portraying its fight against sabotage as part of a broader war on terror and corruption.
Reactions and Next Steps
So far, the Lagos APC’s statement has sparked mixed responses:
- Some security experts have warned that such accusations, if not substantiated, risk worsening internal distrust and undermining the morale of security personnel.
- Civil society organizations call for a transparent inquiry: if insider sabotage is real, it must be publicly investigated, and culprits held accountable.
- Opposition parties are watching closely; they may demand proof, or push back by alleging politicization of the security narrative.
In practical terms, the APC has laid out several urgent priorities:
- Internal Security Audit: The party is calling for a comprehensive internal audit of security agencies to identify and neutralize rogue officers or insiders working with extremist networks.
- Enhanced Vetting: Strengthening personnel screening in military and police ranks, especially for roles involving intelligence and counterterrorism.
- Intelligence Reform: Building more resilient communication protocols and reinforcing the role of counterintelligence in mitigating insider threat.
- Public Accountability: Urging the government to hold public inquiries into past attacks with suspected internal complicity.
- Public Awareness: Mobilizing public support through informational campaigns that highlight the risks of betrayal from within.
Challenges & Risks
While the APC’s allegations are serious, they also present high risks:
- Without concrete evidence, claims of insider sabotage could be dismissed, damaging the APC’s credibility.
- A full internal investigation may unearth uncomfortable truths and implicate powerful figures, heightening political tension.
- Security reforms targeting insider threats could slow down broader counterterrorism operations if agencies become distracted by internal purges.
- Publicizing insider risk can erode public trust in security institutions.
The Lagos APC’s warning that internal saboteurs are enabling terrorist attacks, possibly in concert with external forces, marks a bold and potentially game-changing accusation. It suggests that Nigeria’s security challenges may not only stem from external jihadist or criminal groups, but from a deeper level of internal complicity.
If verified, the allegations demand not just tactical counterterrorism responses, but profound reforms: a rethinking of how intelligence is handled, who is trusted in security institutions, and how betrayal from within is prevented and prosecuted.
For now, the APC’s call represents more than political posturing it is a stark alert: Nigeria’s fight against terror may require not only battling visible foes, but rooting out hidden traitors from within.
