WATCH: Nigerian Soldier’s Gun Jams During Live Firefight With Bandits — Alarming Video Sparks Fresh Debate Over Military Readiness

A disturbing video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) has captured the intensity of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing battle with armed bandits in the country’s troubled northwest region — and it has reignited serious questions about the state of military equipment, operational support, and the true cost of Nigeria’s war on terror.

The footage, believed to be recorded in real time by a soldier in the middle of a gunfight, shows an unexpected malfunction: a soldier’s rifle jams just as the unit engages in a tense exchange of gunfire with bandits.

The moment, though brief, paints a harrowing picture of life on the frontlines — where survival often hinges on the reliability of your weapon and the coordination of your unit.

Since 2011, banditry in Nigeria’s northwest has metastasized into a full-blown security crisis, leaving communities in ruins, thousands dead, and millions displaced. According to verified reports, over ₦18 billion has been paid in ransoms between 2011 and 2020 alone, signaling both the scale of the problem and the government’s inability to curb it effectively.

But the video does more than highlight enemy aggression. It lays bare the cracks within Nigeria’s military structure — from outdated weaponry and poor maintenance protocols to a glaring lack of logistical support. Despite being one of Africa’s largest and most experienced armies, the Nigerian military has struggled to keep pace with the evolving nature of asymmetric warfare and insurgency tactics.

This is not an isolated concern. Previous investigations and reports have shown how soldiers often complain of irregular supplies, unpaid allowances, and limited access to well-maintained arms and ammunition. Many have tragically paid with their lives, and families of the fallen frequently report delays or outright abandonment in receiving compensation or state support.

Since Boko Haram's insurgency escalated in 2009, over 36,000 lives have been lost, with an estimated 2.2 million Nigerians displaced, primarily in the northeast and northwest zones. The insurgency, now splintered into various factions and banditry networks, continues to adapt — outgunning and outmaneuvering local forces in rural and forested areas.

This latest video is a chilling reminder: Nigeria’s war against terror isn’t just about firepower — it’s about preparedness, support, and political will. A jammed rifle in battle may seem like a technical mishap, but for the soldier on the frontlines, it could be the difference between life and death.

As the footage trends, citizens and military analysts alike are calling for a sweeping audit of military equipment, renewed investment in defense logistics, and most importantly — transparent accountability from top brass and political leaders.

The war isn’t won yet. But if the tools of the fight are failing, then the country must urgently ask: who is arming the heroes — and who is failing them?

Watch the video below

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