Boko Haram Suspects Found on Army, Police Recruitment Lists, Lawmakers Raise Alarm

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has revealed that suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals were once listed among successful recruits for the Nigerian Army and police. Speaking during a special plenary session on national security, Wase, an APC lawmaker representing Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, warned that such infiltration of security institutions poses a serious threat to the country. He said former Defence Committee Chairman, Muktar Betara, can confirm instances where known insurgents and armed robbers appeared on recruitment shortlists.

Wase urged caution against reckless endorsements during military and police recruitment, emphasizing that only credible and trustworthy candidates should be recommended. Sharing a personal perspective, he noted the human cost of insecurity, revealing that he lost a brother, cousin, and nephew to terrorist attacks, and recounted a plea from a younger sibling to leave their violence-hit community. He also called for a review of the presidential directive removing police officers from VIP protection, arguing that clearer definitions are needed to prevent exposing officials to unnecessary risks.

Other lawmakers echoed concerns over the country’s security challenges. Speaking for the North-West Caucus, Sada Soli described the region’s insecurity as complex, driven by criminality, environmental pressures, weak governance, and worsening economic conditions, and called for a combination of security operations and structural reforms. Muktar Betara, representing the North-East Caucus, said the region remains the epicenter of terrorism and communal violence, recalling tragedies from the 2015 Baga massacre to recent bombings.

Senator Solomon Bob from Rivers State criticized successive administrations for failing to confront insecurity effectively, claiming governments have often negotiated with terrorists rather than enforcing the law. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, highlighted the severe impact on women and children, pointing to recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba, and described these incidents as a breach of the state’s duty to protect its citizens.