May 31 – Fresh concerns have emerged over Pakistan’s alleged role in arming jihadist movements in Africa, following the arrest of four Pakistani nationals in Nigeria on May 28, 2025.
The arrests have reignited fears about the growing involvement of foreign operatives in fuelling terrorism across the continent.
During a press briefing in Maiduguri, the Nigerian Army revealed that the Pakistani nationals were arrested in the country’s north-east, a region long plagued by terrorism. Authorities say the suspects are believed to be aiding terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), offering tactical and strategic training that has significantly advanced the groups’ capabilities.
According to the army, this foreign support has introduced sophisticated tactics, including the use of surveillance drones, advanced improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and ambush techniques specifically targeting military convoys.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, described the arrests as credible evidence of external involvement in strengthening insurgent operations in Nigeria. He warned that increased coordination among jihadist networks has led to higher troop casualties and substantial losses in military hardware.
Despite global efforts to dismantle terrorist networks following the killing of Osama bin Laden, Pakistan remains widely regarded as a hub for global jihadist activity. Bin Laden, who was found and killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011, had envisioned Africa as a strategic base for al-Qaeda’s global ambitions. That vision appears to be playing out, with extremist groups across Africa growing increasingly sophisticated—allegedly with Pakistani support.
Intelligence sources have pointed to Pakistan’s role in facilitating the transfer of advanced weaponry to militant factions on the continent. A key enabler of this arms flow is believed to be Darra Adamkhel, a notorious town in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Known as one of the world’s largest black markets for weapons, Darra is infamous for producing both original and counterfeit firearms—from Colt and Beretta pistols to Lee-Enfield rifles, RPG launchers, and even anti-aircraft weaponry.
The weapons industry in Darra operates like a cottage industry, with households engaging in the production of arms using skills passed down through generations. Despite attempts to regulate it, Darra remains a vital node in the illicit global arms trade, supplying weapons to conflict zones worldwide—including Africa.
The implications of these activities are severe. Analysts warn that when state-linked networks enable terrorist organisations through covert arms trading and logistical support, it poses a direct threat to global peace and security. The Nigerian military is now calling for a coordinated international response to dismantle these transnational terror networks.
Africa’s security landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with jihadist groups exploiting porous borders, weak governance, and external sponsorship.
The Nigerian army’s latest revelations point to a dangerous convergence of local insurgencies and international terror support—highlighting the urgent need for global counterterrorism cooperation and stronger oversight of illicit arms flows.
