Lawmaker Reveals Suspected Boko Haram, Criminals on Nigerian Army and Police Recruitment Lists

Lawmaker Exposes Infiltration of Security Recruitment

Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, the former Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives and leader of the North Central Caucus, revealed on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, that suspected members of Boko Haram and other criminal elements were discovered on the recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and Police Force. The lawmaker made this startling disclosure during a special plenary session of the House dedicated to national security.

Wase, who represents the Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, emphasized that such infiltration poses a 'grave threat to national security' and undermines the country's overall security architecture. He asserted that his claims could be verified by Hon. Muktar Betara, the former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence. According to Wase, 'There were moments in time when, in the process of recruitment, Boko Haram were found in the list. Other criminals, armed robbers, gangs, were found in the list of Nigerian army and police.'

Concerns Over Recruitment Process Integrity

The revelation by Hon. Wase points to 'deep flaws in Nigeria's recruitment processes,' which have potentially allowed individuals with criminal backgrounds to penetrate sensitive security institutions. He strongly cautioned against 'reckless endorsements' of candidates for military and police recruitment, urging politicians to recommend only individuals of 'good character and integrity.'

Wase underscored the severity of Nigeria's security challenges, noting that he has personally lost a brother, cousin, and nephew to terrorist attacks. He also highlighted that the North Central zone alone accounts for approximately 52 percent of the country's insecurity burden.

Broader Context of Nigeria's Security Landscape

This disclosure comes amidst ongoing efforts to address widespread insecurity in Nigeria. In a related development, President Bola Tinubu recently declared a national security emergency and ordered the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers, aiming for a total of 50,000, in response to a surge in kidnappings and other criminal activities.

While the Nigerian Army has previously denied recruiting 'repented Boko Haram members,' stating in April 2024 that they only consider members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who have demonstrated patriotism, Wase's current claims suggest a different issue of attempted or actual infiltration during recruitment phases. The ongoing challenges underscore the critical need for robust vetting and recruitment procedures within Nigeria's security agencies.