A disturbing disclosure from the House of Representatives has revived concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s security institutions.
Ahmed Wase, leader of the North Central Caucus, said during a special plenary on national security that suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals were once discovered on official recruitment lists for both the Nigerian Army and the Police.
The lawmaker, who represents Wase Federal Constituency and previously served as deputy speaker, described the revelation as evidence of a recruitment system riddled with loopholes.
He insisted that the allegation is verifiable, noting that former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Muktar Betara, was aware of the incident.
Wase explained that the infiltration of armed forces by individuals with criminal histories has long-term consequences for national stability.
Furthermore, he warned that “once a compromised individual enters a sensitive institution, the damage becomes difficult to undo,” adding that such cases contribute directly to ongoing security failures.
The lawmaker stressed that politicians must take responsibility when making recommendations for security jobs, urging them to prioritise integrity over sentiment.
“If we continue to endorse people without character checks, we will keep empowering the same criminals we claim to be fighting,” he said.
The North Central lawmaker also revealed that more than half of Nigeria’s current insecurity is concentrated in his region.
He spoke emotionally about losing a brother, a cousin and a nephew to terrorist attacks, saying the tragedy illustrates the gravity of the situation.
According to him, even surviving relatives now plead to be relocated away from their communities due to fear.
Wase further proposed a review of the presidential directive withdrawing police escorts from VIPs, arguing that poor categorisation could unintentionally expose public officials to danger.
Lawmakers from other geopolitical zones echoed similar concerns, with representatives from the North West and North East urging a shift from purely military responses to broader social and economic strategies.
AFRIPOST reports that their warnings highlighted how fragile Nigeria’s security landscape has become, pushing the debate toward deeper institutional reforms.