Wase Raises Alarm: B’Haram Names Found in Army and Police Recruitment Lists

Former Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, revealed that suspected Boko Haram members and other criminal elements had been found on recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force during previous exercises. He made this known during a special session of the House of Representatives focused on the worsening security situation in the country.

Wase warned that allowing criminally minded people into security institutions puts the nation at serious risk. He said the issue had been previously discussed and could be confirmed by Muktar Betara, a former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, who now heads the Committee on the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that during some recruitment processes, names linked to insurgents, armed robbers and other criminals were discovered among shortlisted candidates.

He cautioned political leaders and community heads against careless endorsement of people for recruitment into the military and police. He said only honest and trustworthy persons should be recommended to avoid strengthening criminal networks from within the system.

Wase also shared personal losses, stating that he had lost close family members, including a brother, cousin and nephew, to terrorist attacks. He said the North Central region carries a large share of Nigeria’s insecurity burden and described the fear faced by families in affected communities. He narrated how one of his younger brothers begged to be moved out of their hometown because of constant violence.

He also called for a proper review of the presidential directive that withdrew police officers from VIP protection duties. While supporting the idea behind the policy, he said clear categories must be created so that important public officials are not left exposed to danger.

Other lawmakers from different regions also spoke on the issue. Representatives from the North-West described insecurity in their region as complex, driven by crime, environmental problems, weak governance and economic hardship. They said military action alone would not solve the problem and called for better governance and community involvement.

Lawmakers from the North-East described their region as the centre of terrorism and insurgency, recalling deadly attacks and bombings that have affected both civilians and security personnel. They called for coordinated action and stronger strategies to restore safety.

A senator from the South-South accused past governments of lacking the courage to confront insecurity properly, saying that negotiating with violent groups weakened national authority. A lawmaker from the women’s affairs committee also raised concern over the effects of insecurity on women and children, citing recent mass abductions as a failure of the state’s duty to protect citizens.

The session ended with calls for stronger screening in security recruitment, better coordination of security strategies, and reforms that will help reduce the spread of violence across the country.