Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, on Wednesday revealed that suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals were previously discovered on recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and the police, raising fresh concerns about the infiltration of security institutions.
Wase made the disclosure during a special plenary session dedicated to addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
The lawmaker, who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State under the All Progressives Congress, warned that allowing compromised individuals into the security services poses a grave threat to national stability.
According to him, “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 added that his claim could be corroborated by Muktar Betara, the former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, who now chairs the Committee on the Federal Capital Territory.
Wase cautioned politicians and community leaders against endorsing unfit candidates for military and police recruitment.
“We must stop the reckless endorsements,” he said. “Only credible and trustworthy persons should be recommended for service.”
Visibly emotional, he recounted personal losses from terrorist attacks, explaining that he had lost a brother, cousin and nephew to violence. He added that the North Central region, where he comes from, carries “about 52 per cent of the country’s insecurity burden.”
He also described a distress call he once received from his younger brother, begging to be relocated due to persistent attacks in their community.
Addressing the recent presidential directive withdrawing police from VIP protection duties, Wase urged caution.
While acknowledging the intent behind the policy, he said, “Categories must be clearly defined so that we do not expose key officials to unnecessary danger.”
Speaking for the North-West Caucus, Sada Soli said insecurity in the region had become “complex and layered,” with criminality reinforced by environmental pressures, weak governance, and economic hardship.
He warned that military force alone would not end the crisis, stressing the need for reforms in governance, environmental management and economic development.
“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 — described as the “ground zero of terrorism” — Betara recalled past tragedies, from the 2015 Baga massacre to the numerous bombings that claimed lives of both civilians and security personnel.
He said, “Our challenges are massive, but with coordinated action, commitment and sound strategy, we can restore confidence and stop the relentless spread of violence.”
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, condemned the devastating impact of insecurity on women and children, pointing to recent mass abductions 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.
Rivers lawmaker Solomon Bob also criticised successive governments for what he called a lack of political will. “Since 1999, what we have seen is leadership failure,” he said.
“Governments have chosen to placate terrorists, negotiating with killers instead of enforcing the law.” He added that reducing terrorism to “banditry” undermines the gravity of the crisis.
The session underscored the lawmakers’ shared frustration with the country’s security trajectory and renewed calls for urgent, coordinated reforms to protect citizens and restore stability.
