Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, on Wednesday claimed that Boko Haram members’ names were once found on the Nigerian Army recruitment list, warning that such infiltration threatens the country’s security framework.
Addressing a special House plenary convened to review national security, Wase said the former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Muktar Betara, could corroborate the discovery. He described the incident as evidence of deep flaws in Nigeria’s recruitment processes, which have allowed individuals with criminal records to enter critical security institutions.
Wase, who lost both a brother and a cousin to terrorist attacks, said such breaches help explain why criminal groups continue to operate freely in many regions. He added that insecurity has become so severe that his surviving younger brother asked for assistance to relocate from their community for safety.
He said: “My brother, Betara, and I have witnessed instances where, during recruitment, names of criminals—Boko Haram members—appeared on Army lists. We must ensure that recruitment prioritises integrity. Politicians can recommend candidates, but only those of good character should be endorsed. A criminal in the system undermines all efforts to restore security. We must reform recruitment practices.”
Wase also warned that the persistence of Nigeria’s security crisis is partly due to individuals who profit from the chaos, enabling criminals to move freely and act with impunity. He criticised the politicisation of indigeneship and citizenship, calling it a major source of division and urging constitutional reforms.
He highlighted the scale of insecurity, noting that about N5 billion is reportedly paid in ransom annually and more than 30,000 people have died in Boko Haram-related attacks over the years. Wase urged lawmakers to adopt a coordinated, comprehensive strategy, stressing that the country faces a security threat far greater than widely perceived.
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