Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has raised fresh concerns over the integrity of recruitment processes into Nigeria’s security agencies, alleging that the names of suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals once appeared on enlistment lists for the Army and Police.
Wase, an APC lawmaker representing Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, made the disclosure during a special plenary session dedicated to addressing the nation’s escalating security crisis. He warned that the entry of criminal elements into security institutions constitutes a grave threat to national safety.
According to him, the revelation could be corroborated by the former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, now Chairman of the FCT Committee, Hon. Muktar Betara. “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,” he said.
Wase cautioned against indiscriminate recommendations during recruitment, stressing the need for strict scrutiny to ensure only credible and trustworthy individuals are admitted into the armed forces and police. He also shared a personal account of losing his brother, cousin and nephew to terrorist attacks, adding that the North Central region bears an estimated 52 per cent of the country’s insecurity burden.
His remarks were followed by broader regional assessments from lawmakers. Sada Soli, speaking for the North West Caucus, described insecurity in the region as “complex and layered,” driven by a mix of criminality, environmental pressures, governance weaknesses, and economic decline. He argued that a kinetic response alone would be insufficient, urging reforms in governance, land management, and economic systems.
Representing the North East Caucus, Muktar Betara noted that the region remains the epicentre of terrorism and communal violence. Citing incidents such as the 2015 Baga massacre and recurring bomb attacks, he insisted that coordinated action and clear strategy are essential to restoring stability.
From the South South, Hon. Solomon Bob criticised successive governments for what he described as a long-standing failure to confront insecurity with the necessary political will. He argued that downplaying terrorism as mere banditry undermines the gravity of the situation.
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, highlighted the disproportionate impact of insecurity on women and children, referencing recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba. She described the situation as a violation of the state’s obligation to protect its citizens.
The special plenary underscored growing frustration within the legislature over the country’s deteriorating security landscape and the need for urgent, comprehensive reforms.
