Priest Arrested in Plateau for Allegedly Supplying Weapons to Bandits, Sparks Debate on Religion and Crime in Nigeria

A Reverend Father has reportedly been arrested in Plateau State for allegedly supplying weapons to bandits, authorities confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

The arrest has reignited public discussion about Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity and the often-politicized narratives surrounding crime and religion.

Social media reactions highlighted the apparent inconsistency in public discourse on security. Observers pointed out that when individuals of certain religious affiliations are involved in criminal activity, the labels and framing tend to shift.

“Suddenly, insecurity has no religion again. When a Muslim is involved: ‘terrorism.’ When a Christian is involved: ‘silence mode activated,’” a viral post read.

The incident underscores the broader challenge facing Nigeria: a systemic failure to address crime and insecurity impartially, regardless of perpetrators’ religious or ethnic background. Analysts argue that the problem lies not in faith or denomination, but in the prevalence of organized criminal networks and the weakness of law enforcement structures.

Citizens have called for the arrest to be followed by transparent investigation and prosecution, emphasizing that accountability must transcend religion. Many stressed that national safety requires systemic reforms rather than selective narratives that twist the facts to fit political or social agendas.

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the detention of the clergyman and is reportedly conducting further investigations into his alleged connections with bandit groups operating in the region.