How Boko Haram members ended up on Army, Police recruitment lists — Wase

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, on Wednesday shocked lawmakers when he revealed that names of suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals were once found on recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and Police.

Wase made the revelation during a special plenary on the worsening security situation in the country.

The APC lawmaker, who represents Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, warned that allowing criminal elements to infiltrate security agencies is a direct threat to national safety.

According to him, his claim can be confirmed by former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, now Chairman of the Committee on the FCT, Muktar Betara.

“My brother and friend, Honourable Betara, can attest to this. There were recruitment exercises where names of known Boko Haram members appeared on the shortlist. Armed robbers and other criminals were also found among those cleared for the Army and police,” Wase said.

He cautioned politicians against carelessly endorsing people for military and police jobs, stressing that only credible and trustworthy candidates should be recommended.

Wase, who said he lost a brother, cousin and nephew to terrorist attacks, noted that the North Central region bears “about 52 per cent” of the country’s insecurity burden. He recalled how one of his younger brothers begged to be relocated from their violence-hit community.

The former Deputy Speaker also called for a review of the presidential directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection. While he acknowledged the intent behind the policy, he urged the government to clearly define the categories so that critical officials are not left exposed.

Speaking for the North-West caucus, Sada Soli described the region’s insecurity as “complex and layered,” driven by criminality, weak governance, environmental pressures and worsening poverty. He argued that force alone will not end the crisis and called for reforms in governance and land-use systems.

On his part, Betara, speaking for the North-East caucus, said the region remains “ground zero of terrorism, insurgency and recurring communal violence,” recalling tragedies from the 2015 Baga massacre to multiple bomb attacks.

A South-South lawmaker, Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), blamed the situation on leadership failure, accusing successive administrations of negotiating with terrorists instead of enforcing the law.

Since 1999, he argued, governments have lacked the political will to confront insecurity head-on.

Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, lamented the severe impact of insecurity on women and children, citing recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba.

“These are not just security breakdowns; they represent a breach of the state’s core duty to protect lives,” she said.