A fresh debate over the integrity of Nigeria’s security recruitment processes erupted on Wednesday after former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, told lawmakers that names of suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals once appeared on official enlistment lists for the Army and police.
Wase made the disclosure during a special plenary session dedicated to the worsening state of security across the country. His remark immediately stirred concern in the chamber, especially as he linked the claim to documented recruitment exercises handled in past sessions of the National Assembly.
According to him, the matter is not speculation. He referenced former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, now heading the Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Muktar Betara, as someone who could confirm the development.
“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.
He warned that allowing compromised individuals into security institutions poses a direct threat to national safety, especially at a time when multiple regions are battling insurgency, banditry and communal violence. He cautioned lawmakers and political figures against endorsing unfit candidates for recruitment, insisting that only credible individuals should be recommended.
Wase spoke emotionally about his personal losses, revealing that he has buried a brother, a cousin and a nephew after separate terrorist attacks. He said the North Central region, where he comes from, bears “about 52 per cent” of the country’s insecurity burden.
He recalled a moment that underlined the depth of the crisis. One of his younger brothers, he said, once begged to be evacuated from their community after another round of violence.
“It was a cry for safety. When your own people feel they must run from home, that says everything about the situation,” he noted.
He also urged the Federal Government to review the recent presidential order withdrawing police officers from VIP protection duties. While he acknowledged the intent of the policy, he argued that categories must be clearly spelt out to avoid exposing key officials to danger.
The security debate continued as lawmakers from other geopolitical zones took turns to outline the pressures facing their regions.
Speaking for the North West Caucus, Sada Soli described the insecurity in the region as “complex and layered,” driven by criminality, environmental pressures, weak governance structures and growing economic hardship. He argued that a strictly military response would not deliver lasting peace.
“Lasting peace depends on rebuilding trust in government, reforming land and livestock systems, and ensuring that communities help shape solutions,” he said.
For the North East Caucus, Muktar Betara painted a stark picture of a region he described as the “ground zero of terrorism.” He referenced tragedies stretching from the 2015 Baga massacre to more recent bomb blasts that have claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel.
“Our challenges are massive, but with coordinated action, commitment and sound strategy, we can restore confidence and stop the relentless spread of violence,” he said.
A South South lawmaker, Solomon Bob, criticised successive administrations for what he termed a persistent lack of political will. He argued that, since 1999, governments have chosen to negotiate with violent groups instead of enforcing the law.
“Since 1999, what we have seen is leadership failure. Governments have chosen to placate terrorists, negotiating with killers instead of enforcing the law,” he said, adding that describing terrorism as mere banditry understates the scale of the danger.
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, drew attention to the rising number of women and children caught in violent attacks and abductions, citing recent incidents in Papiri and Kamba.
“These are not just security failures; they represent a breach of the state’s core obligation to safeguard lives and property,” she lamented.
